WHOQOL-OLD assessment of quality of life in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease: influence of sleep and depressive symptoms

Objective: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease with a number of motor and non-motor features that can affect quality of life. In this study, we aimed to assess quality of life, as well as to evaluate the potential determinants of quality of life, such as sleep quality, motor and depressive symptoms, in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease. Method: This was a cross-sectional study in which we applied the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults in 57 Parkinson's disease patients over 60 years of age. Results: Total World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults score was found to be associated with Parkinson's disease severity (r(s) = -0.43; p <= 0.001). World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults scores for sensory abilities (facet 1) and social participation (facet 4) were higher among the patients with mild Parkinson's disease than among those in the more advanced stages (r(s) = -0.43; p <= 0.001). Facet 1 scores were found to be associated with Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale score (r(p) = -0.46 and r(p) = 0.41; p < 0.001, respectively). The Geriatric Depression Scale score showed an association with the total score on the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults (r(p) = -0.70; p < 0.001) Conclusion: Quality of life in Parkinson's disease patients can be assessed by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults. Greater Parkinson's disease severity can worsen patient quality of life, as can the presence of depressive symptoms.