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Early constipation predicts faster dementia onset in Parkinson’s disease

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Evans, J. R. 
Breen, D. P. 

Abstract

Abstract: Constipation is a common but not a universal feature in early PD, suggesting that gut involvement is heterogeneous and may be part of a distinct PD subtype with prognostic implications. We analysed data from the Parkinson’s Incidence Cohorts Collaboration, composed of incident community-based cohorts of PD patients assessed longitudinally over 8 years. Constipation was assessed with the MDS-UPDRS constipation item or a comparable categorical scale. Primary PD outcomes of interest were dementia, postural instability and death. PD patients were stratified according to constipation severity at diagnosis: none (n = 313, 67.3%), minor (n = 97, 20.9%) and major (n = 55, 11.8%). Clinical progression to all three outcomes was more rapid in those with more severe constipation at baseline (Kaplan–Meier survival analysis). Cox regression analysis, adjusting for relevant confounders, confirmed a significant relationship between constipation severity and progression to dementia, but not postural instability or death. Early constipation may predict an accelerated progression of neurodegenerative pathology.

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Keywords

Article, /692/499, /692/617/375/1718, article

Journal Title

npj Parkinson's Disease

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2373-8057

Volume Title

7

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group UK