Work

Optimizing the MDS-UPDRS Part III for early-stage Parkinson’s: early supportive evidence for a limb-related bradykinesia/rigidity sub-score

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The MDS-UPDRS was not specifically developed for early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD). This study investigated a sub-score of MDS-UPDRS Part III to assess bradykinesia and rigidity, which would be more targeted and clinically meaningful to assess disease progression in early-stage PD. A cross-sectional Rasch model was applied to the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) untreated PD cohort data (N = 423) to define an adequate item set. Additionally, we evaluated how the daily life items from MDS-UPDRS Part II relate to bradykinesia and rigidity severity. A sub-score of 15 MDS-UPDRS Part III items focusing on limb-related bradykinesia and rigidity demonstrated good measurement properties in early-stage PD. Items adequately targeted to the study sample, and a meaningful hierarchy supported the validity of the scale. The scale was invariant to symptomatic treatment intake. Onset of clinical signs was represented as a milestone in the emergence of impairment in patients' daily functioning.

Source: npj Parkinson s Disease

DOI: 10.1038/s41531-025-01072-2

Authors: Antoine Regnault, Maria Key Prato, Stéphane Quéré, Anne Benoit, Nathalie J. Massat, Thomas Morel

Institution: UCB Pharma (United Kingdom)

Language: English

Topic: Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,890