Association between different coping styles and health-related quality of life in people with Parkinson’s disease: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe overlapping coping strategies in people with Parkinson’s disease.DesignCross-sectional, cohort study.SettingMonocentric, inpatient and outpatient, university hospital.ParticipantsTwo-hundred participants enrolled, 162 patients with Parkinson’s disease (without dementia) analysed.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrevalence of different coping styles according to the German Essen Coping Questionnaire. Association between coping, sociodemographic and clinical parameters (Movement Disorder Society (MDS)-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), non-motor symptoms questionnaire (NMS-Quest), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), Beck depression inventory (BDI) and health-related quality of life (Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36))).ResultsIn comparison with patients who employed a passive coping style, patients using an active form of coping were characterised by a shorter disease duration (p=0.017), fewer motor impairments (MDS-UPDRS II p=0.040, MDS-UPDRS III p=0.003), a lower non-motor burden (NMS-Quest p=0.048), better cognitive function (MoCA p=0.036) and fewer depressive symptoms (BDI p<0.001). From the 162 participants, 24% showed an overlap of active and passive coping strategies. The most common combination was acting/problem-oriented coping and distance and self-promotion. In comparison with patients who employed passive coping, the group with an overlapping coping style was characterised by a shorter disease duration (p=0.023) and lower depressive burden (p=0.001). In comparison with patients who employed active coping, the overlap group was characterised by poorer cognitive function (p=0.045). The SF-36 values of the overlap group were between those of the active and passive coping groups.ConclusionKnowledge about overlapping coping strategies is relevant to the implementation of strategies to promote active and healthy coping.