Impact of Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms on Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Disease - A Questionnaire Based Observational Study from Karad, India

Abstract

BACKGROUND Parkinson’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder with a prevalence rate of 108 - 257 per 100,000 people, occurring in later half of life and affecting both genders equally. The progressive nature of the disease is associated with growing disability and has a considerable impact on quality of life. Quality of life (QOL) is an important goal in every rehabilitation process and its impact on disease process, stage and prognosis is closely associated, which often gets neglected. Thus, it was necessary to conduct this study to establish actual impact of Parkinson’s disease on quality of life, emphasizing on disease duration. METHODS A questionnaire based observational study was carried out among patients with Parkinson’s disease in Maharashtra. The survey was conducted in Parkinson’s Association Group by handing over the hard copies of questionnaires to 120 patients and their respective care takers. Questionnaire used was ‘The Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ39)’. It had 39 items grouped into 8 domains. Statistical analysis of the collected data was carried out using InStat software and Microsoft excel. RESULTS In motor symptom-based questions, the impact on quality of life was more significant i.e., 54 % (P < 0.0001) compared to non-motor symptoms which was 46 % (P < 0.0001). Maximum number of subjects were from age group 71 to 80 while minimum number of subjects were from 91 to 100 yrs. CONCLUSIONS There was significant impact of motor as well as non-motor symptoms on patient’s quality of life; but motor symptoms like tremors and slowness of movement had greater impact compared to non-motor symptoms which included speech difficulty and social stigma. There was no co-relation between specific age group and incidence of disease. KEY WORDS Parkinson’s Disease, PDQ - 39 Questionnaire, Quality of Life (QOL), Motor and NonMotor Symptoms, Activities of Daily Living