3352 The motor profile of patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease in the Hai district of northern Tanzania

Abstract Introduction Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative condition globally. Its cardinal motor signs are bradykinesia, rest tremor, rigidity, and postural instability. The motor symptoms of PD often lead to dependence on others to perform daily activities. Globally, the incidence of PD is rising. However, for countries in sub-Saharan-Africa such as Tanzania, research on the motor aspects of PD and the associated disability is sparse. The primary aim of this study was to determine the motor symptoms, and burden of motor symptoms, in newly diagnosed people with idiopathic PD (IPD) in the Hai district of Tanzania. The secondary aim was to ascertain the level of disability among this group. Method A questionnaire was completed by households in Hai to screen individuals for the cardinal symptoms of PD. Positive responders were assessed for symptoms of PD in their community and, as necessary, were diagnosed by a neurologist. The Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale was used to measure the frequency and severity of each motor symptom. Additionally, the total score was used to represent the burden of motor symptoms. PD was staged using the Hoehn and Yahr scale and the Barthel Index was used to measure disability. To classify the scores, validated cut-off values were used. Results Thirty-one individuals with IPD were identified. Of these, twenty-one participants were newly diagnosed and not taking PD medication during data collection. The burden of motor symptoms among participants was classified as severe, and the most common motor subtype was tremor-dominant PD. Seventeen participants demonstrated a moderate or severe level of disability. Conclusions Motor burden and disability were prevalent among newly diagnosed people with IPD in Hai. Despite trends, definitive conclusions on the total burden of motor signs and level of disability were limited by incomplete data and recruitment issues.