Objective: This study aims to describe the clinical and sociodemographic features of patients diagnosed with a functional movement disorder (FMD) at our specialised FMD clinic.

Background: There is a growing interest in FMD due to its prevalence and medical, social and economic impact. However, epidemiological data from large cohorts of patients with FMD are scarce and come mainly from General Neurology and Movement Disorders Clinics. Higher prevalence in females and tremor being the most common FMD have been reported. Over the past two decades, specialised FMD clinics have been developed in different countries and epidemiological data from such clinics may provide useful information.

Method: A standardised form was used to extract data from electronic records from all consecutive patients who were evaluated and received a diagnosis of FMD at our specialised clinic, which is set in a private medical center, between January 2017 and December 2019.

Results: A total of 100 patients were included. Mean age was 40.88± (14.02) years and 62% were females.  More than one third (37%) had a higher education level. Most (90%) were in working age but only 16% were active. Mean disease duration at first consultation was 44.88± (68.80) months. The most common FMD was gait disturbance (42%), followed by tremor (22%) and dystonia (16%) [figure1]. Functional overlay was found in 13%, and 43% had a combination of FMD and another functional disorder. A precipitating event was reported in 79% (physical in most of them), mainly within the month prior to the onset of FMD. In 83% an acute onset was described and a 62% exhibited a fluctuating clinical course. Periods of complete remission were reported in 15%. Psychiatric comorbidity was diagnosed in 34% prior to the referral to our clinic and pain (64%) and fatigue (44%) were also common comorbidities.

Conclusion: FMD affect both males and females mostly in working age, leading to a high socio-economic impact. A high proportion of patients had a university degree. Gait disturbance was the commonest FMD, which causes a high level of disability that may lead to consultation in a specialised clinic. Our clinic is set in a private hospital and might not be representative of the general population, but supports the universality of FMD.

« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2020

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/clinical-and-demographic-characteristics-of-patients-with-functional-movement-disorders-in-spain-a-consecutive-cohort-study/