Analysis of Influencing Factors of Apathy in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Ruirui Luo; Yumeng Qi; Jiuqin He; Xiaoqi Zheng; Wenhua Ren; Ying Chang

doi:10.3390/brainsci12101343

Analysis of Influencing Factors of Apathy in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Brain Sci. 2022 Oct 4;12(10):1343. doi: 10.3390/brainsci12101343.

Authors

Ruirui Luo¹, Yumeng Qi², Jiuqin He¹, Xiaoqi Zheng¹, Wenhua Ren¹, Ying Chang¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China.
² School of Statistics, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200050, China.

Abstract

Background: Apathy is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). The influencing factors of apathy are currently controversial. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of PD-associated apathy and to analyze the associated risk factors.

Methods: Two hundred patients diagnosed with PD were selected. Included patients were divided into an apathetic group and a non-apathetic group. Demographic and clinical data, motor symptoms, non-motor symptoms and medication use of the two groups were assessed.

Results: The incidence of apathy was 69%. Demographic and clinical data, motor symptoms, non-motor symptoms and medications use were statistically significant.

Conclusions: PD patients with more severe motor symptoms, cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, RBD, excessive daytime sleep, fatigue, low education level, long disease course, poor quality of life and lower DA dosage are more prone to apathy. Cognitive function, quality of life, educational level, DA and LEDD are independent risk factors for apathy.

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD); apathy; impulse control disorder.

Grants and funding

This research was funded by Shanghai Joining Share Charity Foundation (grant number 2019038). And The APC was funded by Shanghai Joining Share Charity Foundation.