Overall and Disease Related Mortality in Parkinson’s Disease – a Longitudinal Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Earlier research showed that Parkinson’s disease is related to increased overall mortality, but it remains unclear which patient level factors are predictive of increased mortality in Parkinson’s disease. OBJECTIVE: To jointly evaluate potential risk factors for overall and Parkinson’s disease (PD) related mortality, we collected detailed information from a cohort of newly diagnosed PD patients which was consequently followed for over a decade. METHODS: A total of 133 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PD were followed for at least 13 years. Survival analysis of observed mortality was used to evaluate risk factors for overall mortality, whereas survival analysis of mortality as corrected for the general population was used to evaluate risk factors for PD-related mortality. RESULTS: Overall mortality increased with age, male sex, higher levodopa equivalent dose, and presence of mild cognitive impairment. PD-related mortality increased with earlier onset of Parkinson’s disease, higher levodopa equivalent dose, and mild cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide confirmation and extension of risk factors for overall mortality and generate new insights into PD-related mortality.