Objective: This prospective cohort study sought to examine longitudinal data spanning the transition period where PD patients developed FOG to identify symptoms that may precede FOG, and create a prediction model that identifies those ‘at risk’ for developing FOG in the year to follow. 

Background:

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a disabling symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that ultimately affects approximately 80% of patients. Although there are several theories regarding the underlying pathophysiology very little research has focused on predicting the onset of FOG and tracking the longitudinal progression of symptoms prior to its onset. 

Methods: Two-hundred and twenty-one PD patients were divided into three groups based on the validated FOG-Questionnaire Item 3 (FOG-Q3): non-freezers, transitional freezers, and continuing freezers. Critical measures across motor, cognitive, mood and sleep were assessed at two time points approximately one year apart. 

Results: A logistic regression model including age, disease duration, gait symptoms, motor phenotype, attentional set-shifting, logical memory and mood measures could predict with 82% and 92% accuracy, respectively those patients who would and would not develop FOG over the next year. Notably, the FOG-Q total and HADS-A alone, could predict if one might develop FOG in the next 12 months with 81% accuracy.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that it is possible to identify the majority of patients who are will develop FOG in the following year potentially allowing targeted interventions to delay or possibly even prevent the onset of FOG.  

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/predicting-the-onset-of-freezing-of-gait-a-longitudinal-study/