2025 American Academy of Neurology Abstract Website

Objective:

To develop a practical, clinic-based screening tool to identify malnutrition in patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) or parkinsonism who are under ongoing care.

Background:

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms such as tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability, as well as non-motor symptoms like cognitive deficits, sleep disturbances, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. These patients are at high risk of malnutrition and weight loss, which can exacerbate symptoms and complicate treatment. This study aimed to develop a clinical screening tool for malnutrition in PD patients.

Design/Methods:

A prospective, observational study was conducted with 120 patients diagnosed with PD or parkinsonism. Data on demographics, clinical characteristics, and nutritional status were collected using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), motor symptoms were evaluated through UPDRS III, and cognitive function was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Results:

The results showed a high prevalence of nutritional risk, with 63% of patients at risk of malnutrition and 13% already malnourished. A predictive model for malnutrition risk was created, incorporating factors such as age, disease duration, motor symptoms, cognitive impairment, and non-motor symptoms like dysphagia and constipation. The study emphasizes the importance of early nutritional intervention in improving the quality of life for PD patients.

Conclusions:

This work highlights the need for standardized nutritional assessments in PD and provides a foundation for future research and clinical practice to address malnutrition in this population.