The Relationship Between Fatigue and Other Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease in Chinese Population

SummaryBackgroundThe aim of our study was to explore in detail the relationship between fatigue and other non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodsOne hundred and four PD patients took part in our study. The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) was used to measure the severity of fatigue and a cut-off of 4 was used to define the presence of fatigue. Patients who scored more than 4 were divided into the “fatigue group” while the other patients were allocated to the “no fatigue group”. The Non-motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) was used to screen other non-motor symptoms. The Parkinson's disease Sleep Scale (PDSS), Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorders Scale (RBD) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to measure different kinds of sleep disorders, and the affective sphere were measured with the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD).ResultPatients with fatigue in PD had higher levels in domain 2 (sleep disorders) (p < 0.001) and domain 3 (mood/anxiety) (p < 0.05) of the NMSS. The severity of fatigue was positively associated with excessive daytime sleepiness (rs = 0.254, p = 0.009), anxiety (rs = 0.268, p = 0.006) and depression (rs = 0.264, p = 0.007).ConclusionForty patients (42.4%) showed notable complaints of fatigue with FSS scores > 4. Among the patients with fatigue, the severity of fatigue in PD patients was related to sleep and affective disorders. Of the disorders, excessive daytime sleepiness, anxiety and depression were particularly linked to fatigue in PD.