Parkinson’s pain is more aching and interfering with social life in Caucasians compared to Indians

Abstract

Objectives: Although there have been numerous studies conducted to better understand Parkinson’s disease (PD), the epidemiology of its debilitating non-motor symptoms across different ethnicities remains understudied. Herein we explore the relationship between depression, anxiety and pain in PD patients of Caucasian or Indian ethnicity (PD Caucasians and PD Indians).

Patients and Methods: All patients and healthy age and gender matched controls were assessed via semi-structured interviews for anxiety, pain and depression using structured questionnaires.

Results: PD Indians did not differ from PD Caucasians on anxiety or depression. However, PD Caucasians were more likely to report aching pain by 80 times and dull pain by 108 times compared to PD Indians. PD Indians were 82% less likely to have pain interfering with social activities, and 90% less likely to have pain interfering with relations with others compared to PD Caucasians.

Conclusion: Although an Indo-Caucasian difference may not be detected from mood dysfunction, important differences may exist from the influence of pain interfering with several dimensions of life.

Keywords:

• Pain
• depression
• anxiety
• Parkinson’s disease
• ethnicity

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Norman Leopold, Zishan M. Chaudry and Uzma Ahmed.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.