Objective: To identify which are the factors that influence in the process of living with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Living with PD is a complex, dynamic, cyclic and multifactorial process influenced by several factors. It is already known that living with PD is not just influenced by the disease. Identifying and understanding which are the factors that could make the person have a good Living with PD or not is necessary to provide care according to the patient individual and unique needs.

Method: An international study with an observation and cross-sectional design which took place in five Spanish-speaking countries (Spain, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Cuba) was carried out in 324 patients with PD. Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to identify associations between living with PD and the following concepts related to the disease and the person, as: duration of disease, motor symptoms, non-motor symptoms, psychosocial function, satisfaction with life, social support, and home economical situation.

Results: Living with PD was strongly associated with concepts related to the person and not with the disease. Social support (β = 0.51), satisfaction with life (β = 0.26) and home economical situation (β = −0.16) are the factors that strongly influenced when living with PD. Duration of disease or symptoms did not present significant influence in the daily living with PD.

Conclusion: It is necessary to incorporate multidisciplinary and individualized interventions in nowadays health services, focusing on the factors that directly influence in living with PD, as for social support, satisfaction and economical status. Consequently, possible negative aspects of the daily living with PD as lack of support, loneliness or dissatisfaction with life could be prevented and a more positive living achieved.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/influencing-factors-when-living-with-parkinsons-disease-beyond-the-disease-symptomatology/