Author/Editor		Rečnik, Gregor; Avberšek, Andreja
Title		Kako izboljšati kvaliteto življenja pri bolnikih s parkinsonizmom?
Type		monografija
Place		Ljubljana
Publisher		Medicinska fakulteta
Publication year		2002
Volume		str. 57
Language		slo
Abstract		BACKGROUND. Parkinsonism is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system characterized pathologically by degeneration of dopamine neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta. Consequently, striatal dopamine levels decrease resulting in classical motor signs (tremor, rigidity, akinesia, postural impairment). Recently, pathological changes have been described also in limbic and prefrontal cortices which may explain non-motor parkinsonian symptoms (dementia, depression). AIM. Practical management of PB has for a long time been limited to the treatment of motor symptoms. Non-motor aspects of the disease can be equally disturbing and can considerably affect quality of life. As yet there has been no study in Slovenia on how various factors influence quality of life (QoL) in Parkinsonian patients. The aim of the present work was to identify these factors and to propose certain measures which would improve patients' QoL in a simple, quick and inexpensive way. HYPOTHESIS. QoL in Parkinsonian patients is determined by the level of motor disability (motor signs of the disease). METHODS. We implemented the research as a prospective study on human subjects. 71 patients were asked to assess quality of their life on a visual analogue scale and with EQ-SD instrument. According to the results on the VAS they were divided into two groups: in group A there were 12 patients with high QoL and in group B there were 11 patients with low QoL. The following parameters were studied in all patients: motor disability, impairment in daily activities, cognitive abilities, depression and self-assessment of their health state. Depression was assessed in carers. RESULTS. Data was analysed statistically with non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. The two groups differed significantly in EQ-SD summary index, depression of patients, depression of carers, self-assessment of their health state and in impairment of daily activities. (Abstract truncated at 2000 charactes).
Descriptors		PARKINSON DISEASE QUALITY OF LIFE ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING COGNITION DISORDERS DEPRESSION QUESTIONNAIRES PROSPECTIVE STUDIES