Relationship between Parkinson's and Covid: the Italian Society of Neurology provides clarity
On the occasion of National Parkinson’s Day on 27 November, the Italian Society of Neurology (SIN) analyses the relationship between the disease and Covid 19
Since the first pandemic wave in early 2020, the severe acute respiratory disease caused by Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) has been the subject of much scientific research with the aim of specifically assessing its potential negative impact in the neurological field, and in particular in the context of chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and other Parkinsonian conditions (atypical and unspecified Parkinsonisms).
Patients with Parkinson’s disease not more likely to contract Covid-19
It is believed that the risk of contracting COVID-19 in people with Parkinson’s disease and other parkinsonisms does not differ from the general population,” commented Alfredo Berardelli, President of the Italian Society of Neurology.
Recent studies and meta-analytical evidence indicate that the risk of hospitalisation (about 50%) and death (about 10%) of these patients once they have contracted COVID-19, depends mainly on their age, which is generally advanced, and on possible comorbidities”.
On the other hand, the indirect consequences of COVID-19 were significant, such as difficulties, and in some cases unavailability, in accessing medical and physiotherapy care during periods of restricted mobility, which undoubtedly represented a further burden in the clinical management of patients with Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonisms, even those who were not infected with COVID-19.
“It is important to emphasize – concludes Berardelli – that the scientific evidence available today does not contraindicate the use of COVID-19 vaccines in the population of people with Parkinson’s disease and other parkinsonisms.
For this reason, vaccination of all patients is recommended.
National Parkinson’s Day is organised by the Limpe-Dismov Academy (the leading scientific association for Parkinson’s disease in Italy), a member of the Italian Society of Neurology, together with the Limpe Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease Onlus.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that currently affects 5 million people worldwide, of which more than 300,000 in Italy alone, and occurs on average around 60 years of age
It is estimated that this number is destined to increase in our country and that over the next 15 years there will be 6,000 new cases every year, half of which will occur in working age.
Diagnosis of the disease is essentially clinical and based on symptoms.
Instrumental examinations such as encephalic MRI and haematochemical tests can help rule out those diseases that have similar symptoms.
Confirmation of the diagnosis can come from specific examinations such as Spect and Pet.
Read Also:
Dementia, Hypertension Linked To COVID-19 In Parkinson’s Disease
Risk Of Parkinson’s Disease After COVID-19: An Australia A Research