Objective: To investigate whether financial impact of Parkinson’s disease (PD) differs for women and men.

Background: PD poses a significant burden on affected individual financially. Therapeutic needs evolve with disease progression. Gender and sex can impact the treatment preferences and responses. Compared to men, women are less likely to receive advanced treatments such as deep brain stimulation. Motor and non-motor symptoms also vary between women and men, prompting different treatment plans. Responses to the treatment approaches also have been suggested to differ for women and men. Financial burden associated with the treatments impact preferences and can contribute to the gender disparities in PD.

Method: The data was obtained from the Fox Insight database on March 8th, 2023. Women and men reporting a PD diagnosis that filled out “The Financial and Social Impact of Parkinson’s Disease Survey” were included (661 women, 657 men). Symptom severity for the past 12 months, use of mobility devices, history of device-assisted therapy (deep brain stimulation, duopa or levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gels, apomorphine infusion, neupro patch), financial costs associated with Parkinson’s medications for the past 12 months were compared between women and men.

Results: Majority of the cohort had medical insurance (98.9%) and identified as non-Hispanic (96%) and White (97.3%). Women were younger than men but had similar disease duration (p=.008, p=.72). Men had higher levels of education and income (p<.001 for both). Women were more likely to be unemployed or work part-time; men were more likely to be retired or work full-time (p<.001). Men reported worse tremor, trouble speaking and writing; women reported more vision problems and pain (p≤.026 for all). Women were more likely to use mobility assistance devices (p<.001). Financial costs associated with Parkinson’s medications were similar for women and men (p=.75). Longer disease duration, higher income level, history of device assisted therapy were associated with higher costs (p=.006, p=.018, p=.045).

Conclusion: Financial costs associated with Parkinson’s medications are similar for women and men, despite women having less income and being younger. Longer disease duration, more income, device assisted therapy use are associated with higher costs associated with Parkinson’s medication. Socioeconomic and demographic factors can contribute to the gender disparities in PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/financial-impact-of-parkinsons-disease-on-women-and-men/