Objective: This study aimed to explore dyspnea experiences in people living with Parkinson’s PlwP who are walking independently.

Background: Dyspnea is one of the non-motor symptoms (NMS) in PlwP.  In other neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, weak respiratory muscles lead to dyspnea (Leentjens et al., 2012). In PlwP, dyspnea was reported in 40% of a cohort of 50 fluctuating participants (Lee et al., 2007). Since dyspnea is an indicator for poor quality of life in elderly patients (Parshall et al., 2012), there is a need to explore dyspnea and quality of life in PlwP.

Method: A cross sectional mixed methods study was conducted to achieve study goal. Participants were included if they: are diagnosed with Parkinson’s; their Hoehn and Yahr Score is I, II or III; and walking independently. Participants were excluded if they: have any other musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory or neurological diseases; current or previous smokers; were admitted to hospitals previously due to respiratory complications. Participants were invited to fill an online questionnaire about dyspnea and its effects on quality of life. Participants who reported that they have dyspnea in the online questionnaire were invited to participate in semi-structural interviews about perception of dyspnea.

Results: A total of 106 participants filled the online questionnaire. Around 60% of responders reported that they feel short of breath while walking indoor, and 79% reported that they feel short of breath while walking outdoor. Responders reported that dyspnea affected their quality of life in terms of housework (39%), gardening (62%), exercise (77%), and showering (34%).

24 responders accepted to participate in the online interviews. Results of the interviews revealed that dyspnea is not routinely assessed by clinicians for PlwP. Additionally, interviewees reported that dyspnea affects their daily of life including: housework; gardening, exercise, talking and sexual effort. Furthermore, interviewees reported that they feel depressed and are anxious because of dyspnea.

Conclusion: Results of the study showed that dyspnea affects quality of life of PlwP at stages I, II and III in Hoehn and Yahr scale. Furthermore, the study revealed that dyspnea is not routinely assessed in PlwP.

References: Lee, M., Prentice, W., Hildreth, A., & Walker, R. (2007). Measuring symptom load in Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Parkinsonism & related disorders, 13(5), 284-289.

Leentjens, A., Dujardin, K., Marsh, L., Martinez-Martin, P., Richard, I., & Starkstein, S. E. (2012). Anxiety and motor fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease: a cross-sectional observational study. Parkinsonism & related disorders, 18(10), 1084-1088.

Parshall, M. B., Schwartzstein, R. M., Adams, L., Banzett, R. B., Manning, H. L., Bourbeau, J., . . . Lareau, S. C. (2012). An official American Thoracic Society statement: update on the mechanisms, assessment, and management of dyspnea. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, 185(4), 435-452.

« Back to 2023 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/dyspnea-and-quality-of-life-in-parkinsons-a-mixed-methods-study/