Most prior estimates of Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDPsy) are cross-sectional and don’t capture its full spectrum. This outpatient study at the Parkinson Expert Centre of Rouen assessed prevalence, clinical correlates, and management using NINDS diagnostic criteria and a standardized 10-item questionnaire spanning hallucinations, minor phenomena, and delusions. From June to December 2021, 315 consecutive outpatients with PD underwent detailed clinician-led histories. Those with current or past PDPsy received additional interviews to document age at onset, exacerbating/relieving factors, and treatment course.
PDPsy was frequent: 42% had previous or ongoing psychosis, predominantly visual hallucinations. Affected patients were older, had more advanced disease, and received higher total dopaminergic doses. Management was individualized—some patients improved with non-pharmacologic strategies, while others required medication reduction or withdrawal. Because untreated PDPsy is linked to poorer quality of life and substantial caregiver burden, routine screening during clinic visits, early recognition of minor phenomena, and proactive treatment planning (including education and follow-up) may offer meaningful prognostic and therapeutic benefits.
Reference: Costentin G, Diguet M, Wallon D, Grangeon L, Maltête D. Prevalence and management of psychosis in an outpatient population with Parkinson’s disease: A real-life descriptive study. Rev Neurol (Paris). 2025;181(7):674-680. doi: 10.1016/j.neurol.2025.06.008.
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0035378725005491?via%3Dihub
