Characterization of Non‐Motor Fluctuations Using the Movement Disorder Society <scp>Non‐Motor</scp> Rating Scale

Abstract

Abstract Background Non‐motor fluctuations (NMF) in people with Parkinson's disease (PwP) are clinically important yet understudied. Objective To study NMF in PwP using both the Movement Disorder Society Non‐Motor Rating Scale (MDS‐NMS) NMF subscale and wearable sensors. Methods We evaluated differences in overall burden of NMF and of specific NMF across disease durations: &lt;2 years (n = 33), 2–5 years (n = 35), 5–10 years (n = 33), and &gt; 10 years (n = 31). In addition, wearable triaxial sensor output was used as an exploratory outcome for early morning “off” periods. Results Significant between‐group differences were observed for MDS‐NMS NMF total scores ( P &lt; 0.001), and specifically for depression, anxiety, fatigue and cognition, with both NMF prevalence and burden increasing in those with longer disease duration. Whereas only 9.1% with a short disease duration had NMF (none of whom had dyskinesia), in PwP with a disease duration of &gt;10 years this was 71.0% ( P &lt; 0.001). From a motor perspective, dyskinesia severity increased evenly with increasing disease duration, while NMF scores in affected individuals showed an initial increase with largest differences between 2–5 years disease duration ( P &lt; 0.001), with plateauing afterwards. Finally, we observed that the most common NMF symptoms in patients with sensor‐confirmed early morning “off” periods were fluctuations in cognitive capabilities, restlessness, and excessive sweating. Conclusions Non‐motor fluctuations prevalence in PwP increases with disease duration, but in a pattern different from motor fluctuations. Moreover, NMF can occur in PwP without dyskinesia, and in those with NMF the severity of NMF increases most during years 2–5 after diagnosis.

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