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Investigating factors which may influence quality of life in PD The authors conducted almost 2000 interviews of patients, physicians, and caregivers in Europe, North America, and Japan, focussing on factors influencing quality of life in Parkinson's disease. Instruments used included the Beck Depression Inventory and PDQ-39 quality of life scale. Quality of life was most strongly influenced by depression, with a smaller contribution from Hoehn and Yahr disease stage and medications. A small but significant contribution came from the patient's satisfaction with the explanation given by the physician at the time of diagnosis, and the patient's level of optimism. The authors conclude, "It is important that physicians recognize that there is a strong relationship between depression and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease and should consider implementing procedures which manage this, in addition to motor symptoms." L Findley, Global Parkinson's Disease Steering Committee P-TU-024 Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, Volume 5 Supplement, 1999 <http://www.wemove.org> janet paterson 52 now / 41 dx / 37 onset snail-mail: PO Box 171 Almonte Ontario K0A 1A0 Canada website: a new voice <http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Village/6263/> e-mail: <[log in to unmask]>