Parkinson's disease in Malawi: A cross-sectional Study of clinical profiles and risk factors

Malawi is undergoing demographic shifts in age that will inevitably increase the prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson s disease (PD). However, there is a knowledge gap about the clinical profiles of patients with PD in the country. This cross-sectional study analyzed the clinical characteristics of thirty-two patients with PD at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre Malawi using a structured questionnaire and the Movement Disorder Society Unified PD Rating Scale. The mean age at onset of PD closely matched those reported in other Black African populations but with a higher prevalence of early onset disease. Reported risk factors included pesticide use and a family history of tremor. The majority of patients had severe motor symptoms of PD and chronic comorbidities such as hypertension and HIV/AIDS. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive research on the etiology of PD in Malawi and concerted efforts in addressing its modifiable risk factors.