Challenges in Managing Nonmotor Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease in Low-Resourced Settings with Unavailability of Newer Drugs

Abstract

Nonmotor symptoms (NMS) are prevalent in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). They can be just as debilitating and challenging to manage as the motor symptoms that are often more well known. The available evidence supporting the treat- ment of various NMSs in PD has significantly expanded in the recent years. Nevertheless, the treatment choices are still con- strained given the high prevalence and adverse impact of these disorders. Unfortunately, there is also a shortage of newly developed drugs to manage these NMSs, which can make it dif- ficult for health-care professionals and caregivers to provide evidence-based quality care. The challenge of managing NMSs in PD is more prominent in the low-resourced settings, given the fact that several of the evidence-based treatment options are not available nor affordable. This challenge can be further exacerbated by the difficulty in access to diagnosis, treatment, and care for PD in low-resource settings and the lack of special- ized doctors and other health-care profesionals.