A recent study led by QIMR Berghofer has found that individuals living with Parkinson’s disease in Australia are nearly three times more likely to experience chronic pain than the general population. The research, which involved over 10,000 participants, indicates that approximately two-thirds of Parkinson’s patients report suffering from this debilitating condition. This significant finding underscores the urgent need for healthcare providers to address chronic pain alongside the more recognized motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as tremors.
The findings were published in the journal Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology. Associate Professor Miguel Rentería, who led the study, emphasized the importance of this research, noting that chronic pain is often underrecognized and underreported in Parkinson’s patients. “Chronic pain is a symptom that is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, and it really impacts the quality of life of people living with Parkinson’s disease,” he stated.
The research team analyzed data from 10,631 participants in the Australian Parkinson’s Genetics Study (APGS), a project supported by the Shake It Up Australia Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The study revealed that 66.2 percent of participants reported chronic pain, a figure markedly higher than the estimated 23 percent of men and 30 percent of women in the general population who experience similar symptoms.
Chronic pain is characterized as pain that persists for over three months and occurs daily or nearly every day. The study found that pain was notably more prevalent and severe among female participants, with 70.8 percent experiencing pain compared to 63.5 percent of male participants. The most frequently affected areas included the buttocks (35.6 percent), lower back (25.4 percent), neck (19.4 percent), and knees (17.2 percent).
The impact of chronic pain on patients extends beyond mere discomfort; it significantly affects mobility, sleep quality, independence, and emotional wellbeing. The study also established a strong correlation between chronic pain and other health issues, including depression, sleep disorders, and osteoarthritis. Notably, exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and alcohol was associated with increased pain levels, particularly among men.
“We would like our research to have a real impact on people’s lives,” stated Associate Professor Rentería. “Our hope is that these findings will mean that chronic pain becomes a symptom that is appropriately recognized, monitored, and managed in Parkinson’s, to improve the quality of life of people experiencing pain.”
Dr. Kishore Kumar, a co-author of the study and researcher at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, highlighted the need for clinicians to prioritize discussions about pain in Parkinson’s patients. “As clinicians, we are often focused on the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, but we need to ensure we are not neglecting non-motor symptoms like pain,” he remarked. This shift in focus aims to enhance treatment outcomes for those affected by the disease.
Vicki Miller, CEO of the Shake It Up Australia Foundation, underscored the importance of the research in addressing a long-standing gap in Parkinson’s care. “Many people with Parkinson’s suffer in silence. Pain is invisible, but it’s real, and this research finally gives us the numbers to back what the community has been saying for years,” she expressed.
This study marks the first major finding from the ongoing Australian Parkinson’s Genetics Study, which was launched in 2020 to explore the genetic underpinnings of Parkinson’s disease. The research aims to identify new therapeutic targets and personalize treatments for affected individuals. Participants in the study completed a comprehensive questionnaire detailing their medical history, lifestyle habits, and symptoms, including chronic pain.
The findings from this extensive research offer a crucial perspective on the high prevalence of chronic pain among Parkinson’s patients, emphasizing the need for improved recognition and management of this symptom within healthcare settings. The full study is accessible in the Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology with DOI: 10.1002/acn3.70174.
