Self-reported Depression and Anxiety Are Correlated with Functional Disability in Parkinson’s Disease

Non-motor symptoms, namely cognitive and affective domain function, may impact the physical functioning and perceived health status of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The aim of this cross-sectional observational study was to explore the relationship between the severity of non-motor symptoms (cognitive and affective) and physical function in individuals with PD living in the community. The outcome measures were completed in 19 participants diagnosed with PD, with or without affective symptoms and cognitive impairments. The main constructs included in the bivariate statistical analyses were: self-reported non-motor experiences of daily living (Movement Disorder Society – Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale [MDS-UPDRS] Part I); self-reported motor experiences of daily living (MDS-UPDRS Part II); clinician-rated impression of motor symptoms (MDS-UPDRS Part III); motor fluctuations (MDS-UPDRS Part IV); self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale [HADS] – a total score comprising sub-scores for “anxiety” [HADS-A] and “depression” [HADS-D]); global cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA]); functional gait and balance performance (Dynamic Gait Index [DGI]); and perceived quality of life (European Quality of Life – Visual Analogue Scale [EQ-VAS]). Significant positive correlations (p ≤ 0.05) were observed between the MDS-UPDRS Part II and MDS-UPDRS Part I (p < 0.01), HADS, HADS-A, and HADS-D (p < 0.05). The Hoehn and Yahr (H & Y) scale was the only variable to significantly correlate with the DGI (p < 0.01). Cont...