Impact of Autonomic Dysfunction on Quality of Life in Patients with Parkinson's disease: A Single-Center Exploratory Study

Hadeer Elsaeed AboElfarh, Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.Follow
Ahmed S. Alkotami, Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine Tanta University, Egypt.
Mohamed Galal Elkhateeb, Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
Aya Zhran, Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

Subject Area

Neuropsychiatry

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background: Autonomic dysfunction represents one of the major non-motor manifestations of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and can negatively influence patients’ health-related quality of life (QoL). This study investigated the frequency and severity of autonomic symptoms in individuals with PD and examined their relationship with QoL in a single-center cohort.

Methods: Thirty patients with idiopathic PD were assessed for autonomic dysfunction, quality of life, and motor severity using validated PD–specific rating scales.

Results: Among the autonomic subdomains, urinary symptoms demonstrated the greatest degree of impairment (median score 41.67%) and showed the strongest correlation with overall PDQ-39 scores (r=0.605, p≤0.001). Higher total SCOPA-AUT scores were also significantly associated with poorer overall QoL (r=0.561, p=0.001). Significant associations were additionally observed between autonomic dysfunction and several PDQ-39 subdomains, including mobility, activities of daily living (ADL), emotional well-being, and bodily discomfort. In contrast, motor severity measured by UPDRS-III was correlated only with ADL scores. No significant association was identified between overall autonomic burden or QoL and patient age, disease duration, or levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD).

Conclusion: Autonomic dysfunction was found to be associated with reduced quality of life in patients with PD, with urinary symptoms showing the strongest association. Incorporating autonomic evaluation into routine clinical assessment may improve the comprehensive management of PD patients.

Recommended Citation

AboElfarh, Hadeer Elsaeed; Alkotami, Ahmed S.; Elkhateeb, Mohamed Galal; and Zhran, Aya (2026) "Impact of Autonomic Dysfunction on Quality of Life in Patients with Parkinson's disease: A Single-Center Exploratory Study," Mansoura Medical Journal: Vol. 55 : Iss. 6 , Article 6.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.58775/2735-3990.1568