Pain in persons with mild-moderate Parkinson's disease: a cross-sectional study of pain severity and associated factors.

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine pain severity in persons with mild-moderate Parkinson's disease compared with healthy age- and sex-matched controls, and identify related factors, that is, demographic, disease severity, and functioning, of pain severity in the Parkinson's disease group. A cross-sectional study design was adopted to assess pain severity in 100 persons with Parkinson's disease and 47 healthy controls. Bodily pain was assessed using item 21 of the Short Form 36, whereas pain severity was determined using the entire Short Form 36 Bodily Pain subscale (score ranging from 0 to 100). Self-report questionnaires and clinical tests were completed to determine factors, that is, demographic and disease severity characteristics as well as physical functioning indicators, related to pain severity. Based on fulfillment of assumptions of data normality, both univariate and multivariate regression analysis were carried out. Pain severity (P < 0.001) was significantly higher in persons with Parkinson's disease than healthy controls. Among persons with Parkinson's disease, the multivariate predictor model, explaining 34% of the variance in pain severity scores, identified three independently associated factors. Poorer balance performance, a shorter disease duration, and poorer health-related quality of life were independently associated with pain severity. Pain severity is higher in those living with Parkinson's disease than controls, and severity appears to be associated with disease characteristics and overall health. Further research is required to assess pain origin in Parkinson's disease with the aim of developing targeted interventions.