Objective:

To assess factors associated with weight loss in early Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

Background:

Weight loss is a common feature of PD that is shown to be negatively correlated with health-related quality of life (HRQL). Factors including energy expenditure, malnutrition, autonomic and olfactory dysfunction, pharmacologic treatment, behavioral health, and cognitive impairment may contribute to weight loss. Understanding factors associated with weight loss in early PD may help guide clinical management.

Design/Methods:

Data from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative was used to analyze clinical and self-reported variables in early stage PD patients (within 1-year of diagnosis) with weight change >1% over 3 years. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess demographic and clinical variables among n=419 PD patients.

Results:

Approximately half of PD patients (47.8%) demonstrated weight loss >1%, with 40% of patients in the 60-70 age range. Patients who lost weight had: worse global spontaneity of movement subscore on the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III; higher feelings of tension and lower calmness based on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and decreased desire to stay home based on the Geriatric Depression Scale-15. No significant differences were found between age or sex.

Conclusions:

Weight loss in PD is a complex problem with an unknown cause. Our study showed that weight loss in early PD was associated with a measure of greater motor impairment, and higher anxiety, independent of age and sex. These findings suggest that motor and non-motor factors contribute to weight loss in early PD before the development of late-stage complications, like dyskinesia. Our results highlight the importance of routine monitoring of weight in early PD as well as relevant motor and non-motor symptoms. Further research is needed to better understand the exact cause of weight loss and develop interventions to preserve HRQL.