Takeaways From MDS 2021: Lisanne Dommershuijsen, MSc

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“I was very interested in the session on telemedicine because I think the COVID-19 pandemic has really stimulated the use of [it]. I think, in the future, we will still be using this, probably in an adapted form, because I hope we can still have the usual [in-person] consultations as well.”

The International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS) Virtual Congress 2021, September 17-22 featured presentations on various aspects of studies, developments, and advances within the field of Parkinson disease (PD) and movement disorders. Lisanne Dommershuijsen, MSc, PhD candidate in epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, commented on her presentation, which outlined findings from the PRIME-NL study of COVID-19 stressors and their associated effects on depression, anxiety, and quality of life for patients with PD. In addition, she addressed key takeaways from this year’s virtual event.

Dommershuijsen added that studies related to the use of telehealth for this patient population piqued her interest, as well as those that evaluated the heterogeneity of PD, noting that subtyping of the disease is a distinct area of importance. As an epidemiologist, she further mentioned her interest in preventive interventions for PD, as well as disease-modifying treatments, particularly future trials evaluating the effect of integrating the Mediterranean diet into care regimens. 

For more coverage of MDS 2021, click here.

REFERENCE

Dommershuijsen L, Heide A, Berg E, et al. Effect of COVID-19 stressors on mental health and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease. Presented at: MDS Congress 2021; September 17-22; Virtual. Poster 1045.