Parkinson's disease (PD) patients are hospitalized more frequently than their peers as a result of falls, psychosis, infections and other medical complications. However, patient-specific risk factors for hospitalization are unclear.

To identify rates and risk factors for hospital encounters (Emergency Room [ER] visits or hospitalization) among people with PD.

3415 PD participants (mean age 67 ± 10 years, disease duration 9 ± 6 years, H&Y 2 47%, H&Y 3 26%) enrolled in the prospective international multicenter NPF-QII Study. One-year follow-up data was available for 1030 patients. Rates and risk factors for hospital encounters were determined at baseline and after one year follow-up.

Of 3415 PD participants at study entry, 1120 (33%) reported at least one hospital encounter. Associations were: longer timed up-and-go test (OR: 1.33), increased comorbidities (OR: 1.25), motor fluctuations (OR: 1.32), and deep brain stimulation (DBS) (OR: 2.49). Of these 1120 persons, 311 had follow-up data and 158 (51%) had a repeat encounter one year later, associated with higher H&Y stage, fluctuations, and lower health-related quality-of-life. Of 2295 participants without a hospital encounter at baseline, 719 had follow-up data and 178 (25%) had a first hospital encounter one year later. Risk factors were female gender, comorbidities, lower cognition, fluctuations, and DBS.

One-third of people with PD had a hospital encounter each year, and one-half of those had a repeat encounter. These high rates correlated with disease severity, comorbidities and DBS. There is an urgent need to develop programs to reduce PD hospital encounters.