091 The East London Parkinson’s disease project – engaging a diverse population in research

Abstract

BackgroundParkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease and the burden appears to be growing fastest in middle-low and low income countries. In the majority of obser- vational studies of PD, White, well-educated and affluent participants are over-represented.AimsOur aim was to engage a diverse group of people with Parkinson disease (PwP) from East London and build a research platform for previously under-represented groups.MethodsWe created a register of PwP from the Royal London Hospital which includes approximately 400 patients. In parallel, we have recruited participants to the East London Parkinson’s disease (ELPD) project; a case-control study of phenotype, genotype and biomarker characteristics. Clinical manifes- tations, UPDRS scores, data on non-motor symptoms, as well as biospecimens (buccal and skin swabs, serum samples) have been obtained.Results145 patients and 80 controls have been recruited so far. The mean age of PwP was 67.81 (SD 10.4); 62% were male and 59% identified as being from South Asian or Black ethnicity. The most common presenting symptom was tremor (55.9%), followed by gait impairment (16.6%).ConclusionThe ELPD project is a platform study for under-represented patients with PD which provides important opportunities for collaboration and research to improve health inequalities.