Factors influencing the level of stigma in Parkinson's disease in western Turkey

Background and purpose - Stigma is a widespread phenomenon in Parkinson's disease (PD) and has been shown to affect the quality of life of individuals. This study aims to assess the level of stigma and identify the factors contributing to stigma in patients with PD in Turkey. Methods - A total of 142 patients diagnosed with PD between June 2022 and March 2023 were included in the study. Sociodemographic data including age, gender, marital status, education level, and duration of PD were collected using a sociodemographic information form. Motor symptom severity was assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS part III). The disease stage was determined using the Hoehn and Yahr scale. Participants were classified as PIGD (postural instability/gait difficulty) or TD (tremor dominant) based on the UPDRS score. Patients with a UPDRS ratio greater than or equal to 1.5 were classified as TD, while subjects with a ratio less than or equal to 1.0 were classified as PIGD. Ratios between 1.0 and 1.5 were classified as mixed type. Depression was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), while stigma was measured using the Chronic Illness Anticipated Stigma Scale (CIASS) and the stigma sub-scale of the 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39 stigma sub-scale). Results - The mean score on the stigma sub-scale of the PDQ-39 was 7.60 +/- 4.39, while the mean total stigma score on the CIASS was 1.37 +/- 0.39. Our results indicated that stigma was more prevalent among patients with PD with the TD motor subtype, younger age, shorter disease duration, higher level of disability, and presence of depression symptoms. Conclusion - Our study highlights the association between stigma and disease progression, duration, and depressive symptoms in patients with PD in western Turkey.