Objective:

Evaluate associations between social determinants of health (SDOH), readmissions (RA), 30-day readmissions (30RA), and length of stay (LOS) among patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

Background:

Parkinson’s Disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the United States. Patients with PD experience longer and more frequent hospitalizations than their age-matched peers. Limited research has examined how SDOH relate to readmissions and LOS in this population.

Design/Methods:

This retrospective study analyzed EPIC-generated data from screenings conducted with the PRAPARE tool for inpatient admissions across three urban hospitals in Northwest Indiana between January 2021 and March 2025. Analyses included bivariate tests (Chi-square, Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis) and multivariate models (binary logistic and linear regression) using SPSS (p < 0.05). This study was deemed IRB-exempt (IRB #14040).

Results:

The sample included 2,990 patients with PD, primarily white (73.4%), male (61%), aged ≥75 years (59.2%), and publicly insured (96%). In 30RA analyses, significant bivariate associations were observed for race, sexual orientation, insurance type, housing risk, readmissions, LOS, and PD comorbidities. Multivariate analysis showed that Black/African American patients had significantly higher odds of 30RA (OR = 3.96). For RA, bivariate analysis identified race, language, social connection risk, hospital, and LOS as significant; multivariate analysis indicated patients at Hospital C had lower odds of RA (OR = 0.689). LOS analyses found language, veteran status, insurance type, family income, hospital, ED disposition, PD comorbidities, and PD type were significant. Multivariate results showed PD with dyskinesia was associated with longer LOS (B = 1.561), while higher family income (B = –3.94 × 10⁻⁵) and observation status (B = –2.010) predicted shorter LOS.

Conclusions:

Socio-demographic and clinical factors influenced readmissions and LOS among patients with PD. Prolonged hospitalization and readmissions may worsen motor symptoms, further research is needed to discover how SDOH and related factors contribute to disease exacerbation and outcomes in PD.