Objective: Explore the relationship between patient self-reported assessment of positive symptoms, depression, and anxiety in PwPD.

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive, psychiatric, autonomic dysfunction beyond the traditional motor impact. Psychiatric symptoms may affect up to 50% of people with PD (PwPD) and might adversely impact the capacity for independent functioning with activities of daily living. Accurate identification of the degree of psychiatric/behavioral symptoms may enhance the provider’s ability to assess patient quality of life (QoL) and intervene with behavioral or pharmacotherapy for management of these symptoms. Clinicians’ awareness of these non-motor issues in PwPD might be insufficient.

Method: Retrospective review of data collected through routine care of PwPD that were evaluated by incorporating and combining multidimensional patient reported outcomes (PROs): Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS-PD), Questionnaire on the Psychosocial Consequences of Parkinson’s Disease (SCOPA-PS).

Results: 124 PwPD, 60% male, average age 73+/- 11. Significant relationships were identified by regression analysis (p<0.05) for the following: HADS-Anxiety and SAPS (r² = 0.13), HADS-Depression and SAPS (r² = 0.17), SCOPA-PS vs SAPS-PD (r²= 0.20), SCOPA-PS vs HADS-Anxiety (r²=0.28), SCOPA-PS vs HADS-Depression (r²=0.47).

Conclusion: Psychiatric issues reported in PwPD are complex and intertwined.  Psychosocial impact of PD can be influenced by multiple factors but appears to be very influenced by the level of depression.  However, anxiety and other positive psychiatric symptoms (SAPS-PD) also play significant roles impacting the psychosocial consequences for PwPD.  Enhanced clinician awareness of and addressing these issues comprehensively in routine care of PwPD are also important to improve QoL.

« Back to 2022 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/parkinsons-disease-and-psychosocial-impact-anxiety-depression-and-positive-symptoms/