Preliminary data from My Moves Matter tracking data shows men and women are tracking different symptoms. There is a caveat in that 70% of tracking data currently coming from women using the app. But initial comparisons show some key differences.
Top 10 Symptoms Tracked by Men and Women
Comparison of Parkinson's Symptoms in Men and Women
Women and men both reported muscle cramps (dystonia), stiff muscles (rigidity), tremor and constipation in their top 10 symptoms. However, women reported tremor twice as frequently, whilst men reported constipation almost twice as frequently.
Men reported different symptoms to women in their top 10 which included in order of frequency - loss of balance, swallow issues, brain fog (slowed thinking), low voice (hypophonia), feeling dizzy and faint and difficulty concentrating.
Whilst women also reported different symptoms to men in their top 10. In order of frequency - jerky movements (Dyskinesia), difficulty in sleeping (Insomnia), fatigue, slow movement (Bradykinesia), muscle and joint pains and feeling anxious, tense, or nervous.
This reflects the differing symptomology outlined in the research paper entitled 'Unmet Needs of Women Living with Parkinson's Disease: Gaps and Controversies' *
which highlighted Important issues in women including more dyskinesias, anxiety, depression, apathy, pain and fatigue.
Overall, while both men and women share some common symptoms of PD, they experience different symptoms more frequently, highlighting the importance of tailored approaches in managing and treating PD in men and women.
*Reference
Subramanian I, Mathur S, Oosterbaan A, Flanagan R, Keener AM, Moro E. Unmet Needs of Women Living with Parkinson's Disease: Gaps and Controversies. Mov Disord. 2022;37(3):444-455. doi:10.1002/mds.28921
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