Neurol. praxi. 2019;20(3):219-224 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2019.116

Quality of life in patients with Parkinson´s disease in the Slovak Republic

RNDr. Vladimír Meluš, PhD., PhDr. Nikoleta Poliaková, PhD., doc. MUDr. Ján Bielik, CSc., PhDr. Simona Lipovská

Fakulta zdravotníctva, Trenčianska univerzita Alexandra Dubčeka v Trenčíne

Goal: The goal of the study was to determine the quality of life (QoL) of patients with Parkinson's disease and their work ability
(WA) in relation to certain demographic, clinical and social-economical parameters.
Sample and methods: The research used an original patient questionnaire predominantly based on an evaluation using a numerical
scale. QoL and WA were assessed by patients retrospectively in time of diagnosis, in time without disease, and in time
of so-called full-health. The results were processed and evaluated using descriptive statistics, Friedman's and Dunn's test. The
correlation rates between variables were confirmed by non-parametric Spearman correlative. Patients had an average age – 66.14
years, and 10 patients had fulltime jobs.

Results: Mean duration of illness was 8.33 years and mean time of the onset of symptoms before diagnosis was 2.17 years. Current
QoL and WA were 5.1 and 3.6 (0 – worst, 10 – best), in time of diagnosis – 5.8 and 5.1, before diagnosis – 8.2 and 8.6, and in time of
full health 8.8 and 9.1. The effect of treatment on QoL of patients was 5.82 and the impact of disease on QoL of family members beloved was 5.84 on the same scale. Aggravation of the relationship due to illness was assessed as follows: in the family – 2.23,
in the employment – 2.26, in the social life – 2.73 and in the interest activity – 3.22 (1 – without, 5 – maximum). Average time
of non-ability to work was 6.7 during the past 12 months. Mean monthly income (wage or benefits) was 386.6 €, patients paid
monthly 48 € for medical treatment. Patients were willing to pay 166 € monthly for hypothetical full health recovery.

Conclusion: The illness has significant impact on Qol and WA, both correlated strongly with each other. WA is regarded more
sensitively than Qol. Treatment lowers the rate of QoL degression: its effect on QoL is seen as positive. The disease impacts the
quality of life of family members, work and social relationships as well as inability to work.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease, quality of life, ability to work

Published: June 12, 2019  Show citation