Factors associated with fatigue in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Fatigue is one of the most frequent non-motor symptoms associated with people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD). In this study, we investigated the relationship between fatigue and patients’ background characteristics, disease severity, motor and non-motor symptoms, and cognitive and psychological assessments in PwPD. A total of 80 PwPD were included in this study, 40% of whom experienced fatigue. PwPD with fatigue were associated with being female, dyskinesia, and higher levels of levodopa equivalent daily dose, as well as increased severity of depression, apathy and sleep disturbances, in addition to lower quality of life. Fatigue in PwPD is a symptom that warrants clinical attention, as it is linked to multiple risk factors, indicating the need for further intervention studies that incorporate the perspective of personalized medicine.