Objective: To assess the characteristics and impact of stigma in Parkinson’s disease (PD)patients and explore differences by age, gender, education level, and disease duration.

Background: Stigma can significantly affect patients with PD, influencing self-esteem, quality of life, and leading to potential discrimination.

Method: PD patients under follow-up in our department completed a tailored questionnaire on stigma in occupational, social, and familial contexts. Data on coping strategies, symptom concealment, and quality of life impact were collecte

Results: N=52. Men: 30 (57.7%). Mean age: 69 years (46–86). Time since diagnosis: <3 years: 6 (11.5%); 3–5 years: 10 (19.2%); 5.1–10 years: 24 (45.2%); >10 years: 12 (23.1%). Education: primary: 7 (13.4%); secondary: 18 (34.6%); tertiary/university: 27 (51.9%). Occupational impact: 14 (27%): task reassignment: 4 (28.6%); resignation: 2 (14.3%); absenteeism: 1 (7.1%); dismissal: 1 (7.1%); others: 6 (42.9%). Perceived stigma: 10 (19.2%); doubtful: 11 (21.2%). Diagnosis concealment: 15 (38.5%). Symptom concealment strategies: 25 (62.5%): physical concealment: 15%; avoiding social situations: 12.5%; alternative symptom explanations: 5%. Stigma perceived by others: yes: 24.4%; doubtful: 12.2%; no: 63.4%. Physician discussion on stigma: 12%; more frequent in patients <70 years (21%) vs. older patients (0%), p=0.04. Quality of life impact: negative: 36.5%. Discrimination: 9.4%. Social withdrawal: 17.3%. Greater social withdrawal in those perceiving stigma (60%) vs. those not (3%), OR 45 [4.25, 476], p<0.01.

Conclusion: Stigma perception and impact varied among the studied PD population, affecting occupational, social, and familial contexts, quality of life, and self-esteem. Differences in stigma perception were not significantly associated with age at diagnosis, gender, or education level, except for greater physician discussions on stigma among younger patients and the association of perceived stigma with increased social withdrawal.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/impact-of-stigma-on-patients-diagnosed-with-parkinsons-disease-in-buenos-aires-argentina-a-descriptive-study-of-psychological-occupational-and-social-dimensions/