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Fulltext Management of dysphagia and gastroparesis in Parkinson's disease in real-world clinical practice - Balancing pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches

Bhidayasiri R, Phuenpathom W, Tan AH, Leta V, Phumphid S, Chaudhuri KR, et al.

Front Aging Neurosci, 2022;14:979826.
PMID: 36034128 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.979826

Gastrointestinal (GI) issues are commonly experienced by patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Those that affect the lower GI tract, such as constipation, are the most frequently reported GI problems among patients with PD. Upper GI issues, such as swallowing dysfunction (dysphagia) and delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis), are also common in PD but are less well recognized by both patients and clinicians and, therefore, often overlooked. These GI issues may also be perceived by the healthcare team as less of a priority than management of PD motor symptoms. However, if left untreated, both dysphagia and gastroparesis can have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients with PD and on the effectiveness on oral PD medications, with negative consequences for motor control. Holistic management of PD should therefore include timely and effective management of upper GI issues by utilizing both non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches. This dual approach is key as many pharmacological strategies have limited efficacy in this setting, so non-pharmacological approaches are often the best option. Although a multidisciplinary approach to the management of GI issues in PD is ideal, resource constraints may mean this is not always feasible. In 'real-world' practice, neurologists and PD care teams often need to make initial assessments and treatment or referral recommendations for their patients with PD who are experiencing these problems. To provide guidance in these cases, this article reviews the published evidence for diagnostic and therapeutic management of dysphagia and gastroparesis, including recommendations for timely and appropriate referral to GI specialists when needed and guidance on the development of an effective management plan.
The impact of COVID-19 on palliative care for people with Parkinson's and response to future pandemics

Chaudhuri KR, Rukavina K, McConvey V, Antonini A, Lorenzl S, Bhidayasiri R, et al.

Expert Rev Neurother, 2021 06;21(6):615-623.
PMID: 33905283 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1923480

Introduction: Although in some countries, palliative care (PC) still remains poorly implemented, its importance throughout the course of Parkinson's disease (PD) is increasingly being acknowledged. With an emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, growing emphasis has been placed on the palliative needs of people with Parkinson's (PwP), particularly elderly, frail, and with comorbidities.Areas covered: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic poses an enormous challenge on aspects of daily living in PwP and might interact negatively with a range of motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS), both directly and indirectly - as a consequence of pandemic-related social and health care restrictions. Here, the authors outline some of the motor and NMS relevant to PC, and propose a pragmatic and rapidly deployable, consensus-based PC approach for PwP during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, potentially relevant also for future pandemics.Expert opinion: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic poses a considerable impact on PwP and their caregivers, ranging from mental health issues to worsening of physical symptoms - both in the short- and long-term, (Long-COVID) and calls for specific, personalized PC strategies relevant in a lockdown setting globally. Validated assessment tools should be applied remotely to flag up particular motor or NMS that require special attention, both in short- and long-term.
Access and Attitudes Toward Palliative Care Among Movement Disorders Clinicians

Miyasaki JM, Lim SY, Chaudhuri KR, Antonini A, Piemonte M, Richfield E, et al.

Mov Disord, 2022 Jan;37(1):182-189.
PMID: 34431560 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28773

BACKGROUND: Neuropalliative care is an emerging field for those with neurodegenerative illnesses, but access to neuropalliative care remains limited.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine Movement Disorder Society (MDS) members' attitudes and access to palliative care.
METHODS: A quantitative and qualitative survey instrument was developed by the MDS Palliative Care Task Force and e-mailed to all members for completion. Descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis were triangulated.
RESULTS: Of 6442 members contacted, 652 completed the survey. Completed surveys indicating country of the respondent overwhelmingly represented middle- and high-income countries. Government-funded homecare was available to 54% of respondents based on patient need, 25% limited access, and 21% during hospitalization or an acute defined event. Eighty-nine percent worked in multidisciplinary teams. The majority endorsed trigger-based referrals to palliative care (75.5%), while 24.5% indicated any time after diagnosis was appropriate. Although 66% referred patients to palliative care, 34% did not refer patients. Barriers were identified by 68% of respondents, the most significant being available workforce, financial support for palliative care, and perceived knowledge of palliative care physicians specific to movement disorders. Of 499 respondents indicating their training in palliative care or desire to learn these skills, 55% indicated a desire to gain more skills.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of MDS member respondents endorsed a role for palliative care in movement disorders. Many members have palliative training or collaborate with palliative care physicians. Although significant barriers exist to access palliative care, the desire to gain more skills and education on palliative care is an opportunity for professional development within the MDS. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Fulltext Neurological research & training after the easing of lockdown in countries impacted by COVID-19

Tan EK, Albanese A, Chaudhuri KR, Opal P, Wu YC, Chan CH, et al.

J Neurol Sci, 2020 11 15;418:117105.
PMID: 32980781 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.117105