Objective: (1) Assess the quality of life (QoL) for people with Parkinson’s and explore associations between (QoL) and demographics (2) Investigate incidence of depression and explore its impact on QoL (3) Explore factors associated with high, average and low self-reported QoL measures.

Background: As people are living longer the numbers living with Parkinson’s is also set to rise. Central Statistics Office (2013) data from Ireland estimate that the older population is projected to increase very significantly from its 2011 level of 532,000 to over 1.4 million by 2046. Hence it is timely that research which involves people living with Parkinson’s is undertaken in Ireland to highlight the impact of the condition on people’s QoL and to increase understanding of factors that impact on health and wellbeing.

Methods: A sample (n=359) of people with idiopathic Parkinson’s within the Mid-west region of Ireland were surveyed, 58% response (n=208). Survey included four measures: (1) Demographics (2) Parkinson’s disease Quality of life questionnaire (PDQ-39) (3) GDS-15 (4) PD Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire.

Results: The majority 60% (n=125) of respondents were over 70 years, almost 91% lived in their own home and 3.4% a nursing home. There was a significant association between gender and sources of support with men identifying their wife/partner as their key support, p= .000. A sense of urgency to pass urine (68.5%) was the most frequently reported non-motor symptom. Median PDQ-39 QoL dimension scores indicated the impact of PD on mobility and ADL. Nearly 20% had moderate to severe depression.Kruskal Wallis Test revealed a statistically significant difference in overall QoL scores across four depression categories (Normal, mild, moderate, severe), p= .000. The group with severe depression recorded the highest median score (Md = 50). Higher median QoL scores indicate lower QoL.

Conclusions: Parkinson’s has a negative impact on QoL particularly related to mobility and ADLs. The frequency of non-motor symptoms e.g. urinary highlights the importance of targeted interventions to reduce their effects. Clinically significant depression needs to be recognised and reponded to. The role of family and home support is intertwined with QoL.

Preliminary findings: Poster presentation, ‘Living with Parkinson’s disease: A mixed methods exploration within the Mid-West Region of Ireland’ at HSE West-Midwest Nursing & Midwifery Research &Innovation conference April 2015.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/quality-of-life-and-living-with-parkinsons-in-ireland/