Dysphagia Is Associated with Incident Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease

Up to 80% of persons with Parkinson's disease (PwPD) have dysphagia. However, existing studies are based on small cohorts and the relationship between dysphagia and other motor and nonmotor symptoms (NMS) remains incompletely understood.

To evaluate the relationship between motor and NMS in PwPD with vs without dysphagia.

Among 20,365 PwPD in the Michael J. Fox Foundation database who completed ≥2 NMS surveys, 12,678 (62%) reported dysphagia on ≥1 survey. We examined associations between dysphagia and: (1) self-reported motor symptoms (UPDRS Part II), other NMS, quality of life (QoL), comorbidity score, depression, and daily activities at baseline; and (2) development of new NMS.

Compared to PwPD without dysphagia, those with dysphagia were more likely to have had PD for >5 years, more severe motor and NMS, higher comorbidity scores, and a greater impairment in daily activities (P < 0.001). The prevalence of dysphagia increased with the severity of motor symptoms at the index survey (P < 0.001). At baseline, all NMS were significantly associated with dysphagia. Compared to PwPD who did not have dysphagia, PwPD with dysphagia were at increased risk of developing every NMS, even after adjusting for ages at PD diagnosis and index survey, sex, cognitive impairment, UPDRS, NMS and comorbidity scores. For most NMS, the risk of progression was greater in those with cognitive impairment or elevated NMS scores.

Dysphagia in PwPD is associated with more severe motor and non-motor symptoms, reduced QoL, and an increased risk of future NMS.