EFNS: Study Offers First Evidence Of Quality Of Life Loss In Parkinson’s
Patients
By Alice Goodman
LISBON, PORTUGAL -- September 13, 1999 -- Although it would seem
intuitive that Parkinson’s disease (PD) could have a negative impact on
quality of life, there are few published studies to elucidate this.
Researchers now report evidence of a significant deterioration in
health-related quality of life (HRQOL) over a four-year period in
patients with PD and pinpointed specific areas of deterioration.
The results of this study were presented by Dr. Karen H. Karlsen, from
the Department of Neurology, Central Hospital of Rogaland, Stavenger,
Norway, at the 4th Congress of the Eureopean Federation of Neurological
Scientists, in Lisbon, Portugal.
In 1993, 233 patients were enrolled in the study and given a
self-administered questionnaire called the Nottingham Health Profile
(NHP) that evaluates six domains of quality of life. In 1997, only 111
of the original group were able to respond to the NHP questions.
Patients were lost to follow-up for the following reasons: 87 died, one
emigrated, 18 had severe dementia, 11 refused to participate and five
were re-diagnosed with a different disorder.
At four-year follow-up, significant decrements were seen in the NHP
domains of emotional reaction, pain, physical mobility, and social
isolation. The total NHP score increased from a mean of 120 to 176
(p<0.01), reflecting deterioration in these domains.
"We could not identify any clinical factors at baseline that would
predict who would develop decreased HRQOL," said Dr. Karlsen. "Our study
confirms that PD causes a substantial amount of distress and has a
definite negative impact on HRQOL," she added.
All contents Copyright (c) 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc.
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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