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UAE health experts warn that Emiratis as young as 35 can suffer from Parkinson's disease

Women in the Emirates are susceptible to PD at a young age, even though global average age for same is between 75-85

Published: Tue 2 May 2023, 6:00 AM

Updated: Wed 3 May 2023, 11:49 AM

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File photo

File photo

Emiratis can suffer from Parkinson’s disease (PD) at the young age of 35.

This was revealed by field experts during a fashion show by Parkinson’s patients from the UAE, who walked the ramp in a recently held event, showcasing their support for the cause, during the month of April, that’s dedicated to Parkinson’s Disease.

The Kings College Hospital London, Dubai, Parkinson's Centre of Excellence, which is the first holistic, multidisciplinary Parkinson's Centre of Excellence in the Middle East and North Africa, played a crucial role in organising the event, 'Connecting Communities, I am the first, you are the next, come & test, Emirati Parkinson’s genome campaign.'

The centre provides care for over 600 Parkinson's patients. Although it began in 2020 with one patient, it has since grown to become a referral tertiary centre — not just in the UAE, but across MENA for Parkinson’s and movement disorders that impact basic body movements and mind.

Furthermore, this King’s Dubai-led Parkinson’s genome campaign supports the government's National Genomic Campaign, which seeks to encourage genetic testing to identify why Emiratis are developing Parkinson's at a young age.

Speaking to Khaleej Times was Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Specialist Dr Vinod Metta, who is leading the Parkinson’s genome campaign in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid University Of Medicine and Health Sciences, Government of Dubai, University of Dubai, Parkinson's Association UAE, POD Council of Dubai Police, and UAE Genetic Diseases Association.

“Currently, in UAE, PD is under-rated, under diagnosed and needs more awareness,” he said. "In the western world, we normally see PD in the age group of people who are 75 to 85 and usually not below 50. That’s very rare. But here, in Dubai, we see PD in people who are between the age of 30 or 35. The youngest Parkinson’s patient we have is 29 years old. We have patients across emirates."

James Parkinson wrote the first research paper on the disease 200 years ago, he notes. Since then, several research studies and papers across the world have been published. "But the first Parkinson's paper and research study in the Emirates was led and published by Kings Dubai last year. The first study done in the UAE is called Emirates’ Parkinson's study (EmPark Study) and it showed us that Emirati females get diagnosed with the disease very young — at the age of 29 or 30.”

Genetic testing can help solve the Parkinson’s mystery, says the doctor. It’s said in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia is the only place that has done some research before, with KSA boasting the biggest centre in Parkinson’s research.

“They (Saudis) have an upper limb start whereas here, we see a lower limb start. So, there is a discrepancy in phenotypes amongst the Arabs as well. Tunisians have a different kind of Parkinson’s as do Arabs in Morocco. We are looking into genetic testing now to understand this."

Dr Metta says there is still a lack of awareness about the condition. "About 10-15 per cent genetic causes around the world lead to the early onset of Parkinson's. I am excited that we are now doing this genetic research study on Emiratis and am looking forward to finding any culprit gene among same or different tribes (of Emiratis) in different Emirates.

“We hope that this event will inspire further action towards improving the lives of Parkinson's patients in the UAE and contribute to the ongoing research to find a cure for the disease.”

Parkinson’s patients describe their arduous journey

85-year-old Mohini Dhalwani, seated on a wheelchair, smiled at her doctor, Dr Metta.

Her daughter-in-law Rachna Dhalwani says, “She was diagnosed with Parkinson's three years ago. Proper diagnosis was not done earlier. She had a nervous issue, but it was called NPH which is similar to Parkinsons but it’s treatable. We came here and at that point she was not talking, and was unable to see or hear. Within the first three weeks of her treatment here, she started talking a little; she can connect the dots and can see a little bit now. She is also moving her hand now and starting to walk with our support.”

Rachna explains medicines can play a part but caregiving at home has an equal part. “We motivate her every day with positive affirmations.”

Mohini Dhalwani’s son, Pramod Dhalwani says, “You celebrate every little improvement, no matter how small. That way, our energy gets transferred to her and she feels motivated to do more. You have to continuously talk to them; then, the will to live comes in.”

A UAE resident of 30 years, 69-year-old Mahmood Merchant suffers from PD too. “We’ve been told that this is the first fashion show for Parkinson’s patients. It's ‘for the people, by the people and of the people’, so it’s very democratic,” says Merchant.

Mahmood Merchant

Mahmood Merchant

“About six years ago, when a slight tremor started in my left hand, my GP said that I should go see a neurologist. I was in the early stages of Parkinson’s that time. It’s basically Dopamine that I’ve been on, and it comes in various forms and various components are added to it as more and more progress is made. I am probably at the last stage of medication and after this it will be a mechanised stage where Dopamine may be pumped into my body through a device. After that, it's surgery – Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).”

He explains care like medicine is critical, once diagnosed. “Had it not been for my wife today, I would have been on a wheelchair. If I am walking and talking today, it’s all because of her. She is the best thing that happened to me. She makes sure that I do my exercise every day because movement is as important in Parkinson's as medicine. I’ve been a couch potato for the last 40 years, but this was a real awakening.”

Similarly, 71-year-old Nahed Sharara, who has been here for the past 50 years, felt the tremors five years ago. Her Jordanian husband Mohammed Sharara shares, “We tried finding the best treatment for her. We take each moment as it comes and progress step-by-step. She is much better than before. Her mobility has improved and mentally also, I feel she is in a much better space now. I am very thankful to the doctors who’ve been treating her with so much of care.”

Meanwhile, Sheikh Majid Bin Rashid Al Mualla praised the whole team of Parkinson’s Center of Excellence at Kings College Dubai, especially Dr Vinod Metta, who is leading this campaign and Friends of Parkinson’s UAE, and thanked University of Dubai for hosting the event.

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