Effects of Diabetes Mellitus on Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

While there is a growing body of evidence indicating a potential connection between Parkinson's disease and diabetes mellitus, there is a lack of focus on investigating how diabetes correlates with the severity of both motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

This study examined and contrasted both motor and non-motor symptoms in patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, stratified by the presence or absence of diabetes.

A total of 40 Parkinson's disease patients, divided into two groups (with and without diabetes), were assessed using various scales, including the Movement Disorders Society - Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease - Autonomic Dysfunction and Non-Motor Symptoms, Beck Depression Inventory, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39. Demographic and clinical characteristics were also recorded. Statistical analyses included t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Fisher's exact test.

Significant differences were observed in the motor sub-score of postural instability and gait disturbance symptoms, autonomic total scores, urinary function domain, depression scores, and quality of life in the mobility and emotional domains between the Parkinson's disease non-diabetes, and Parkinson's disease - diabetes groups.

Our study unveiled differences in motor and Non-Motor Symptoms among patients with Parkinson's disease and diabetes, underscoring the influence of diabetes on manifestations of the disease.