Is quality of life in non-demented Parkinson's disease patients related to cognitive performance? A clinic-based cross-sectional study

• Published in: European journal of neurology Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 128 - 133
• Main Authors: Klepac, N., Trkulja, V., Relja, M., Babić, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2008
• Subjects: Aged; Cognition; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression - diagnosis; Depression - etiology; Depression - psychology; Female; Health Status; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Parkinson Disease - diagnosis; Parkinson Disease - physiopathology; Parkinson Disease - psychology; Parkinson's disease; Principal Component Analysis; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Quality of Life; Regression Analysis; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1351-5101; 1468-1331
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2007.02011.x

Whilst the association between dementia and poorer health‐related quality of life (Hr‐QoL) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been well established, we aimed to explore the relationship between cognitive performance and Hr‐QoL in PD without dementia. Consecutive PD patients (n = 124, 54% men, age 60.4 ± 10.3 years) judged as non‐demented based on DSM‐IV criteria and Mini Mental State Examination, free of other neurodegenerative diseases or psychotic difficulties and antipsychotic/antidepressive/anxyolitic treatment were assessed in a battery of neuropsychological tests. We used Parkinson’s disease questionnaire (PDQ‐39) to asses Hr‐QoL and Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) to quantify depression. In the univariate analysis, better performance in each of the tests evaluating visual attention/memory or visuospatial and executive functions was associated with better Hr‐QoL. In multivariate analysis [adjustment for BDI score, PD severity and duration, l‐dopa dose, age, sex, education, employment status and early PD onset (<50 years of age)] in which these tests were either represented by a common variable identified in a principal components analysis or were considered individually, better cognitive performance was independently associated with better Hr‐QoL. The association was conditional on the level of depression, i.e., apparent only in patients with low(er) BDI scores. Cognitive performance appears associated with Hr‐QoL even in non‐demented PD patients.