Assessing the Impact of Type 2 Diabetes on the Severity of Parkinson's Disease: Insights from a Tertiary Care Setting

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of PD in Pakistan has been a subject of interest, with studies indicating a notable number of cases across different regions. To examine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) and evaluate the impact of managing T2DM on the severity of PD symptoms.
Methodology: a retrospective cohort analysis was conducted at Dow University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, spanning from February to September 2023. This study encompassed all PD patients admitted to Dow University Hospital, dividing them into two groups: those with diabetes mellitus (DM) and those without. Within the diabetes group, patients were further stratified into controlled and uncontrolled diabetes based on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels, with a specific target threshold of 7.0%. The research was undertaken at the Psychophysiology Research Lab, University of Karachi.
Results: Among the total of 225 PD patients, 145 (64.4%) were identified as having diabetes, while 80 (35.6%) did not. Examination based on the Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) scale revealed the prevalence of stage 5 PD in both diabetic and non-diabetic cohorts. A statistically significant discrepancy in PD severity was observed when comparing controlled and uncontrolled diabetic patients (p=0.029).
Conclusion: The study underscores a notable prevalence of T2DM among PD patients within the Pakistani context. Additionally, it highlights a distinct variance in PD severity among individuals with diabetes.