COVID-19 manifestations in people with Parkinson's disease: a USA cohort

Background: With the explosion of COVID-19 globally, it was unclear if people with Parkinson's disease (PD) were at increased risk for severe manifestations or negative outcomes.

Objectives: To report on people with PD who had suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to understand how COVID-19 manifested in PD patients.

Methods: We surveyed PD patients who reported COVID-19 to their Movement Disorders specialists at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and respondents from an online survey administered by the Parkinson's Foundation that assessed COVID-19 symptoms, general clinical outcomes and changes in motor and non-motor PD symptoms.

Results: Forty-six participants with PD and COVID-19 were enrolled. Similar to the general population, the manifestations of COVID-19 among people with PD were heterogeneous ranging from asymptomatic carriers (1/46) to death (6/46). The most commonly reported COVID-19 symptoms were fever/chills, fatigue, cough, weight loss, and muscle pain. Worsening and new onset of motor and non-motor PD symptoms during COVID-19 illness were also reported, including dyskinesia, rigidity, balance disturbances, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Conclusion: We did not find sufficient evidence that PD is an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 and death. Larger studies with controls are required to understand this further. Longitudinal follow-up of these participants will allow for observation of possible long-term effects of COVID-19 in PD patients.