Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics and outcomes in hospitalized individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) infected with COVID-19

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused worse health outcomes among elderly populations with specific pre-existing medical conditions and chronic illnesses. There are limited data on health outcomes of Parkinson’s disease individuals infected with COVID-19

Method: Individuals admitted to NewYork-Presbyterian hospital with a diagnosis of PD were retrospectively identified using an electronic medical record system. Clinical characteristics and mortality were abstracted.

Results: We found 25 individuals with PD, mostly male (76%) with a median age of 82 years (IQR 73-88 years), who were hospitalized for COVID-19 infection. 80% of individuals had moderate to severe PD (Hoehn and Yahr 3-5) and 80% were on symptomatic pharmacologic therapy, most commonly levodopa (72%). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (72%) and mild cognitive impairment or dementia (48%). 44% and 12% of individuals presented with altered mental status and gait difficulty/falls, respectively. Mortality rate was 32%; another 32% were discharged to a rehabilitation or nursing facility. Individuals who died were more likely to have encephalopathy during their admission (88% vs. 35%; p<0.03).

Conclusion: Our data suggests that PD individuals who require hospitalization for COVID-19 infection are likely to be older, have mid-stage to advanced disease and be on pharmacologic therapy. Hypertension and cognitive impairment are common comorbidities in these individuals and encephalopathy during hospitalization is associated with risk of death. Altered mental status and falls are clinical presentations of COVID-19 infection in PD individuals that clinicians should be aware of.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/characteristics-and-outcomes-of-parkinsons-disease-individuals-hospitalized-with-covid-19-in-a-new-york-city-hospital-system/