Objective: The objective was to determine in a group of PD patients their perception of how isolation measures during the pandemic affected their motor and non-motor symptoms and modified their access to treatment and medical care,

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic condition that requires a comprehensive approach and periodic medical check-ups to optimize its treatment. The SARS-COV-2 pandemic and the preventive measures of mandatory lockdown, generated a change in the care of chronic diseases due to changes in the paradigms of medical care and access to treatments

Method: An ad hoc survey of PD patients was conducted. A structured questionnaire was emailed to 185 patients who where follow in our Center in Buenos Aires City, Argentina. They were questioned about their clinical condition and about their medical care between March 20 and August 1, 2020.All patients gave their consent to participate in the survey.

Results: 107 responses were obtained The average age was 68.8 years. 23.3% were in quarantine alone. Average time of evolution of the disease: 6.11 years. 21% reported that they needed more care than usual. 54% of the women and 29.8% of the men reported having worsened symptomatically. The deterioration was more widespread as the years of PD evolution increased. It affected 35.8% of those with up to 5 years of evolution, 45.9% between 6 and 10 years, and 57% of those with more than 10 years of PD. The causes of the worsening were: less mobility 72.3%, tremor 29.8%, gait disorder 10.6%. They also reported worsening of mood 49.1%, sleep 28.3%, cognition 15.9% and constipation 7.5%.
Regarding access to treatment: 78.5% had no difficulties in accessing their medication, 17.8% got it with a delay and 3.7% with help. 2.8% were unable to access drug prescriptions.

Conclusion: During the explored lockdown period, a significant number of patients (42%) reported symptomatic worsening. This deterioration was greater in women than in men and in patients with a longer time of PD evolution. The worsening was due to both motor and non-motor disorders. Global motor skills and mood were mainly affected, which declined in up to half of the patients.
this work was presented in the   57th Argentine Neurological Society VIRTUAL  Congress November 2020

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/parkinsons-disease-and-covid-19-pandemic-modifications-in-motor-and-non-motor-symptoms-and-in-the-access-to-medical-and-non-medical-consultations-and-treatments/