Objective: To determine phenotypic differences using qualitative and quantitative measures between African American (AA) and white (W) patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) at Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) Movement Disorders Clinic.

Background: In prior studies, AA patients with PD were more likely have a greater degree of disability overall than W patients with PD.

Method: Patients with PD in a movement disorders clinic were approached to participate in a study examining differences in PD between W and AA PD patients. After the patients were consented, their diagnosis was verified, and demographics collected. They then underwent a battery of tests, including MDS-UPDRS Part III, and the motor domains of the NIH toolbox: 4-meter walk gait speed test, 9-hole pegboard dexterity test, 2-minute walk endurance test, grip strength test, and standing balance test.

Results: 23 W PD and 24 AA PD patients participated. 48.9% were male, average age of the participants was 67.17 (+ 8.19) years old, mean MDS-UPDRS Part III score was 22.52 (+8.77), and 74.5% were Hoehn and Yahr stage II (range II to IV). There were no significant differences between AA and W PD patients in age, education, MDS-UPDRS Part III scores or Hoehn and Yahr stage. Using an ANOVA with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, the W PD patients performed significantly better than the AA PD patients on the 4-meter walk gait speed test (p<0.001), and the standing balance test (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The NIH toolbox was able to detect differences in gait and balance between AA and W patients with PD that were not detected with MDS-UPDRS part III scores. Further work will need to be done in order to identify the underlying reasons for greater disability in AA PD patients.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/phenotype-of-parkinsons-disease-in-african-americans-using-nih-toolbox-motor-measures/