Abstract
Background: Cross-sectional studies have identified that the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) ranges from 70–89%. However, there are few longitudinal studies determining the impact of NPS on quality of life (QoL) in PD patients and their caregivers. We seek to determine the progression of NPS in early PD. Methods: Newly diagnosed idiopathic PD cases (n = 212) and age-matched controls (n = 99) were recruited into a longitudinal study. NPS were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory with Caregiver Distress scale (NPI-D). Further neuropsychological and clinical assessments were completed by participants, with reassessment at 18 and 36 months. Linear mixed-effects modelling determined factors associated with NPI-D and QoL over 36 months. Results: Depression, anxiety, apathy and hallucinations were more frequent in PD than controls at all time points (p < 0.05). Higher motor severity at baseline was associated with worsening NPI-D scores over time (β = 0.1, p < 0.05), but not cognition. A higher NPI total score was associated with poorer QoL at any time point (β = 0.3, p < 0.001), but not changed in QoL scores. Conclusion: NPS are significantly associated with poorer QoL, even in early PD. Screening for NPS from diagnosis may allow efficient delivery of better support and treatment to patients and their families.
Highlights
Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are common in Parkinson’s disease (PD), with some studies demonstrating a prevalence of 70–89% [1,2,3]
neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are usually associated with the later stages of PD when they commonly occur alongside a PD dementia (PDD); greater understanding of NPS in the earlier stages of disease would be beneficial
A percentage of PD participants (76.4%; n = 162) had informants who completed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory with Caregiver Distress scale (NPI-D) at baseline and 72%
Summary
Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are common in Parkinson’s disease (PD), with some studies demonstrating a prevalence of 70–89% [1,2,3]. They can have a major impact on the lives of patients and their families by contributing to morbidity, risk of institutionalisation [4], increased healthcare costs [5]. We sought to identify the frequency and progression of NPS over time in newly diagnosed PD cases compared to age-matched controls and to determine predictors of NPS severity and QoL. Cross-sectional studies have identified that the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) ranges from 70–89%. Linear mixed-effects modelling determined factors associated with NPI-D and
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