Objective: To investigate the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on functionality in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0).

Background: PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by both motor and non-motor symptoms, which can lead to increasing disability. The decline in function for people with PD is influenced by various factors, including SES. SES can impact access to healthcare, social participation, and financial stability. Although disparities in SES have been associated with disease burden in many conditions, there is limited understanding of how they specifically affect functionality in PD.

Method: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 352 people with idiopathic PD in stages I-IV according to Hoehn and Yahr classification. Participants were recruited from a university-affiliated movement disorders center and assessed via remote interviews. Functional impairment was measured using WHODAS 2.0, and SES was classified based on the Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria (CCEB). Additional assessments included the MDS-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS I & II) for motor and non-motor symptoms and the Telephone-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA) for cognitive screening. Statistical analysis involved quantile regression models adjusted for age and disease severity.

Results: Lower SES was significantly associated with higher disability scores on WHODAS 2.0 (β = -0.400, p = 0.002). The strongest correlations were observed in the Participation (β = -0.133, p = 0.003), Mobility (β = -0.074, p = 0.023), and Activities of Daily Living (β = -0.080, p = 0.014) domains. Cognitive function (β = -0.074, p < 0.001) was also negatively impacted, particularly in older individuals (p = 0.003). These relationships persisted after adjusting for age and disease stage, suggesting an independent effect of SES on functional outcomes.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that lower SES is associated with more significant functional impairment in PD, particularly in social participation, mobility, and cognitive function. These findings highlight the need for integrated multidisciplinary care, including social assistance programs, to address socioeconomic disparities and improve the quality of life for individuals with PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-impact-of-socioeconomic-status-on-functionality-in-people-with-parkinsons-disease/