Comparison of Parkinson’s patients with and without COVID-19 in terms of prognosis

Background & Objectives: This study aimed to compare PD patients with and without COVID-19 and to evaluate the associated factors about prognosis. Methods: The data of 37 hospitalized PD patients associated with COVID-19 pneumonia were evaluated. It was compared with the data of 40 PD patients who did not have COVID-19 in the same period. Clinical findings, prognosis, mortality and other related factors were compared in PD patients with and without COVID-19. Results: Hypertension was higher comorbid disease in PD patients with COVID-19 (p = 0.005). The duration of PD was longer in patients without COVID-19 disease (6.02 ± 2.80 vs 5.08 ± 4.59) (p = 0.028). In PD patients with COVID-19, the most common symptoms were myalgia-arthralgia (73.0%) and fatigue (48.6%). Intensive care was required in 17 (45.9%) patients, and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) was required in 9 (24.3%) patients. The in-hospital mortality rate was 29.7% (n = 11). Mortality and IMV requirement were higher in patients whose initial symptom was diarrhea (p = 0.004, p = 0.008, respectively). No correlation was detected between PD stage, treatment options and prognosis (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Mortality rate and IMV requirement are higher in PD patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, particularly in patients with initial symptoms of diarrhea. These patients should be followed more carefully in terms of probable poor prognosis.