Objective: To find the independent correlation between characteristics of gait and QoL in PD, comprehensive assessment of clinical characteristics and objective gait analyses were done in patients with PD.

Background: Gait is essential for independent living and gait disabilities such as freezing of gait (FoG) have been suggested as important determinant in daily life of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Method: Independently walking PD patients without dementia (K-MMSE>24) were recruited from outpatient clinic. Comprehensive assessment of clinical characteristics including history taking about fall and fear of falling, non-motor symptoms (non-motor symptom scale, NMSS), FoG (new FoG questionnaire), and disease-related QoL (Parkinson’s disease quality of life questionnaire, PDQL). Unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (UDPRS) and balance test (Berg balance scale) were applied in defined ‘off’ state. Objective gait evaluation was also done in defined ‘off’ state using 3-D motion capture system at patients’ preferred speed.

Results: Total 59 PD patients (69.4 ± 5.4 years, 29 males, Hoehn and Yahr stage at defined ‘off’ 2.5 (2-3)) participated. Patients with history of fall was found in 16/59 (29.7%) and 23/59(39%) patients had freezing of gait. Bivariate correlation analysis revealed that PDQL correlated with walking speed, asymmetry of step length and trunk tilt during forward gait. Sleep subscore of NMSS, activities of daily living (ADL) subscore of ‘off’ UDPRS, and walking speed were independently correlated with PDQL, which together accounted for 58% of the variance. To define the impact of FoG on QoL, patients were grouped to freezer and non-freezer. Freezer group showed characteristics of more advanced stage of disease, slower walking speed, and higher asymmetry of step length than non-freezer group. However, there was no significant difference in PDQL and independent correlation between gait and PDQL was only found in non-freezer group.

Conclusion: Sleep disturbance, ADL and gait characteristics at ‘off’ state were independent determinants of disease-related QoL in ambulatory PD patients. Walking speed was associated with PDQL, especially in patients without FoG.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/characteristics-of-gait-and-quality-of-life-in-parkinsons-disease/