Despite its relevance, the clinical progression of motor- and non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) is poorly described and understood, particularly in relation to sex-specific differences in clinical progression. Linear mixed-model analyses of 802 people with typical PD from the Luxembourg Parkinson's study's prospective cohort (median time of follow-up = three years). Overall, we observed a slower progression (interaction effect) in women compared to men, especially for Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (-0.159, 95%CI [-0.272, -0.046], p = 0.006), PD Sleep Scale (PDSS) (-0.716, 95%CI [-1.229, -0.203], p = 0.006), , and MDS-UPDRS II (0.346, 95%CI [0.120, 0.572], p = 0.003). The finding for MDS-UPDRS II was significant (FWER of 5%) after adjustment for multiple comparisons (Bonferroni-Holm).ConclusionsNext to the further exploration of sex-specific progression, interventions, proactive monitoring and communication strategies tailored to the symptoms progression and needs of men and women need to be developed.
Author(s):
A-M Hanff
References including authors:
Hanff AM, McCrum C, Rauschenberger A, Aguayo GA, Pauly C, Jónsdóttir SR, Tsurkalenko O, Zeegers MP, Leist AK, Krüger R; NCER-PD consortium. Sex-specific progression of Parkinson's disease: A longitudinal mixed-models analysis. J Parkinsons Dis. 2025 Jun;15(4):805-818.