Predictors of dopamine dysregulation syndrome in patients with early Parkinson's disease

Background Dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) is a complication of Parkinson's disease (PD) that seriously affects the quality of life of PD patients. Currently, the risk factors for DDS are poorly known, and it is critical to identify them in the early stages of PD. Objective To explore the incidence of and risk factors for DDS in patients with early PD. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on the general data, clinical features, and imaging data of patients with early PD in the PPMI database. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors for the development of DDS in patients with early PD, and Kaplan.Meier curves examined the frequency and predictors of incident DDS symptoms. Results At baseline, 2.2% (n = 6) of patients with early PD developed DDS, and the cumulative incidence rates of DDS during the 5-year follow-up period were 2.8%, 6.4%, 10.8%, 15.5%, and 18.7%, respectively. In the multivariate Cox regression model controlling for age, sex, and drug use, hypersexuality (HR = 3.088; 95% CI: 1.416 similar to 6.732; P = 0.005), compulsive eating (HR = 3.299; 95% CI: 1.665 similar to 6.534; P = 0.001), compulsive shopping (HR = 3.899; 95% CI: 1.769 similar to 8.593; P = 0.001), anxiety (HR = 4.018; 95% CI: 2.136 similar to 7.599; P < 0.01), and lower Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage (HR = 0.278; 95% CI: 0.152 similar to 0.509; P < 0.01) were independent risk factors for DDS in patients with early PD. PD patients with DDS had lower DAT uptake values than those patients without DDS. Conclusion Early PD patients with hypersexuality, compulsive eating, compulsive shopping, anxiety, and lower H-Y stage were at increased risk for DDS. The occurrence of DDS may be related to the decrease in the average DAT uptake of the caudate and putamen.

Automated summary

In this study, the incidence of and risk factors for dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) in patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD) were explored. It was found that early PD patients with hypersexuality, compulsive eating, compulsive shopping, anxiety, and lower Hoehn-Yahr stage were at increased risk for DDS. Early identification of risk factors for DDS is crucial for improving the quality of life of PD patients.