Objective: To determine the effect of nutritional status in 6 weeks time on depression, anxiety and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients.

Background: PD affects several aspects of patients’ daily life. People with PD are at risk of malnutrition and it is possible that malnutrition in PD contributes to poorer quality of life. Depression is highly prevalent among patients with Parkinson’s disease and has been demonstrated to reduce quality of life. The role of nutritional status is not fully described in the association between depression and PD related variables. This study is important that it is the first prospective study about the effect of improved nutritional status on psychiatric features and quality of life in PD patients.

Methods: This study was conducted on 96 patients with idiopathic PD. Clinical characteristics of PD were assessed using the Unified Parkinson’s disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire was used to evaluate the characteristics of anxiety and depression. The health-related quality of life was assessed by Parkinson’s disease quality of life questionnaire (PDQ-39). The mini nutritional assessment (MNA) questionnaire was applied to evaluate the nutritional status, Patients with malnutrition or under risk of malnutrition were assessed by the dietitian. Nutritional support was provided and patients were visited weekly in their homes by an experienced nutrition nurse. After six weeks, patients were evaluated with same scales applied in first visit.

Results: The mean age was 63.6 (SD 6.4) years and the mean disease duration was 9 (SD 3.6) years. 41 patients (42.7 %) were at risk of malnutrition and 24 patients (25 %) were malnourished. In first visit, total MNA score had significant inverse correlation with UPDRS score and PD duration. Higher anxiety and depression scores were observed in PD patients with abnormal nutritional status. The mobility and emotional well being domains of the PDQ-39 had inverse correlation with the total MNA score. After six weeks, in nutritional support provided group, depression and anxiety scores reduced, MNA scores and PDQ-39 scores increased significantly.

Conclusions: Improvements in nutritional status in PD patients provide recovery in quality of life, depression and anxiety. Attention to nutritional status has to be an important component of total care of patients with PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-effect-of-improved-nutritional-status-on-psychiatric-features-and-quality-of-life-in-parkinsons-disease-patients/