Malnutrition and associated factors in Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease: Results from a pilot investigation

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and determine the associations between malnutrition and non-motor symptoms (NMS).MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional assessment of 117 consecutive outpatients with PD and their respective caregivers. The participants were interviewed and assessed using various scales, including the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Non-Motor Symptoms questionnaire for Parkinson's disease (NMS quest), Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). We also investigated the socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects.ResultsThe prevalence of malnutrition (MNA score < 17) was 1.71%, and 19.66% patients were at risk of malnutrition (17 ≤ MNA score ≤ 23.5). Poor nutrition (malnutrition and at risk of malnutrition) was associated with some of the NMS including the constipation, vomiting, loss of interest, inability to concentrate and sadness, and high scores in PSQI, GDS, and HAMA. Constipation (OR, 6.646; 95% CI, 1.561–28,300; P = 0.010) and GDS scores (OR, 1.166; 95% CI, 1.042–1.304; P = 0.007) were considered to be the 2 most important predictors of nutritional impairment.ConclusionsNearly 22% of PD patients were malnourished or at the risk of malnutrition and the negative association between NMSs and nutritional care needs to be determined by further studies.