The association between non‑motor symptoms and cost in Parkinson’s disease
Gustafsson A, Hjalte F, Norlin J, Odin P, Hagell P
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with high societal costs. While previous research has explored the economic burden of PD in relation to motor symptoms, fewer studies have focused on non-motor symptoms (NMS), despite their significant impact on patients and healthcare systems. The objective of this study was to examine the association between NMS and societal costs in individuals with PD.
Using data from the Swedish Parkinson’s Disease Registry in Region Skåne, we analysed healthcare costs for individuals with idiopathic PD who had completed the Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire (NMSQ). The study linked patient data to administrative healthcare registries to estimate annual costs, and a generalized linear model was used to assess the association between NMS and costs.
Key Findings:
• Prevalence of NMS: 74% of the study population had NMS, with an average of 6.9 symptoms per observation.
• Increased costs with symptom burden: Individuals with at least 10 NMS had 3.8 times higher formal care costs compared to those with fewer symptoms.
• Hallucinations and delusions drive costs: Associated with an 80–94% increase in total costs, adding SEK 107,000–121,000 per patient per year.
The substantial cost burden associated with NMS highlights the need for comprehensive disease management strategies in PD. By addressing NMS effectively, healthcare systems may help reduce the overall burden on patients and society.
Journal of Neurology, 2025;272(4):297
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-025-13044-w
