Quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE: The number of Parkinson's disease patients is instantly growing in Slovakia. As it is progressing disease which extends to the area of human needs it increases the demands on nursing care with the aim to ensure the quality of life of patients who suffer the Parkinson's disease. DESIGN: In the diploma thesis a standard questionnaire Jenkinson Parkinson disease questionnaire PDQ-39 was used. It consists of 39 questions, aimed at research of areas of everyday needs for clinical practice. Researched sample consists of 120 patients suffering the Parkinson's disease. For statistical evaluation mathematical methods and excel were used. RESULTS: In this research we analysed and interpreted results of PDQ-39 questionnaire for individual physical, psychical and social domains. Monitoring quality of life assessment was carried out by using sub-topics such as Mobility, Daily Activities, Disease Symptoms, Emotions, Social Support, Cognitive Functions, Communication and Physical Discomfort. Significant differences were found in the circumstances that identify Physical Needs. Overall, we note the difficulties for 53.17% of respondents with Mobility, especially with Mobility Over Longer Distances and When In Public. We also have found significant differences in the psychological needs, especially in the categories of Disease Symptoms, Emotions, Cognitive Functions and Communication as they effect quality of life in managing daily activities. The outcome of the questionnaire is that patients perceive quality of life in a very negative way mostly in the area of mobility and in the emotional area. CONCLUSIONS: In the research of how does Parkinson's disease restrict the quality of life in areas such as mobility, daily activities, disease symptoms, emotional and cognitive functions most of the patients feel lower quality of life. When analysing the area of social support, communication and physical discomfort we can assume that the disease has only seldom negative impact on quality of life. In the psychical area we can confirm that symptoms of depression and anxiety cause restrictions in everyday activities. Knowing the problems of patients with Parkinson's Disease affects the identification of nursing interventions in meeting the biological, psychological and social needs and improving the quality of life.