帕金森病患者躯体疲劳的临床调查分析

目的:研究帕金森病(PD)患者伴躯体疲劳的分布情况及其相关因素.方法:运用帕金森病疲劳量表对113例原发性PD患者进行疲劳评估,并用统一PD评分量表,Hoehn-Yahr(分期、汉密尔顿焦虑量表、汉密尔顿抑郁量表、简易精神状态量表、帕金森睡眠量表、生活质量评分等量表对PD患者进行测定.结果:PD患者中,疲劳的发生率为41.6%,Logistic回归分析发现生活质量为疲劳的独立相关因素.结论:疲劳在PD患者中很普遍,明显影响患者生活质量.     

Depression in Parkinson's disease: clinical correlates and outcome

Depression has been shown to be more common in Parkinson's disease (PD) than in other chronic and disabling disorders. Neurochemical and functional disturbances are important etiopathogenic factors. The prevalence and clinical features associated with depression in PD remain controversial. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in our patients, as related to other clinical data, and to assess clinical outcomes of these symptoms. A series of PD patients were evaluated over a 9-year period, using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr stage (HY), Schwab and England Scale (SE), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Presence of depressive symptoms was considered if GDS score was higher than 10: mild-moderate (MD) for GDS scores between 11 and 20 and moderate-severe (SD) for GDS scores greater than 20. Three hundred and fifty-three patients were included in this study and additional follow up information was obtained for 184 patients. MD and SD were found in 40.2 and 16.7% of PD patients, respectively. Female gender, high HY, high UPDRS total and subtotal, and low MMSE and SE scores were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. According to changes in GDS score, 34% of patients remained stable, 35% showed an improvement, and 30.9% worsened in the follow up study. Gender, age, age of onset, HY, UPDRS, and PD duration are not related to depression outcome.     

Depression in Parkinson's disease: clinical correlates and outcome

Depression has been shown to be more common in Parkinson's disease (PD) than in other chronic and disabling disorders. Neurochemical and functional disturbances are important etiopathogenic factors. The prevalence and clinical features associated with depression in PD remain controversial. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in our patients, as related to other clinical data, and to assess clinical outcomes of these symptoms. A series of PD patients were evaluated over a 9-year period, using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr stage (HY), Schwab and England Scale (SE), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Presence of depressive symptoms was considered if GDS score was higher than 10: mild–moderate (MD) for GDS scores between 11 and 20 and moderate–severe (SD) for GDS scores greater than 20. Three hundred and fifty-three patients were included in this study and additional follow up information was obtained for 184 patients. MD and SD were found in 40.2 and 16.7% of PD patients, respectively. Female gender, high HY, high UPDRS total and subtotal, and low MMSE and SE scores were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. According to changes in GDS score, 34% of patients remained stable, 35% showed an improvement, and 30.9% worsened in the follow up study. Gender, age, age of onset, HY, UPDRS, and PD duration are not related to depression outcome.     

Apathy and depression in Parkinson's disease: the Belgrade PD study report

Apathy and depression are among the most common psychiatric and behavioral disorders associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and demographic and clinical correlates of apathy and depression in a clinical population-based sample of patients with PD and to assess whether apathy may present as a primary behavioral disturbance independent from depression and cognitive impairment. A series of 360 PD patients underwent psychiatric investigation with the Starkstein's Apathy Scale (AS), and the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17), motor scoring with Hoehn and Yahr (HY) staging, and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS); and cognitive screening with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) on the same day. Apathy coexisted with depression in 133 (36.9%) of PD patients, compared with depression without apathy in 16 (4.4%), apathy without depression in 84 (23%), and neither apathy nor depression in 127 PD patients (35.2%). Apathy was associated with higher axial UPDRS impairment score, lower MMSE score, higher l-dopa dosage, and earlier HY stages, while depression was predicted by the more advanced HY stages and younger age of PD patients. These findings suggest that apathy and depression may be separable in PD, although both are common in patients with PD. Therefore these two conditions should be systematically screened and considered in the care and management of PD.     

Depressive symptoms in Parkinson's disease

ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence and severity of depression and the degree of motor and functional disability in Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodsOne hundred twenty-two outpatients with PD were enrolled in a neurology department: 65 satisfied the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, Fourth Edition criteria for major depression, and 57 did not (PD-C). Depressive symptoms were assessed by means of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), and the PD severity was assessed according to the Hoehn and Yahr System. Activities of daily living and motor symptoms were measured by the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS), parts II and III.ResultsTwenty-nine patients had a mild depression (HRSD total score ranging between 8 and 17), 30 had a moderate depression (HRSD total score ranging between 18 and 24), and 6 had a severe depression (HRSD total score, ≥25). By comparing the 3 groups of patients, it emerged that those with a severe depression showed significantly higher scores at the UPDRS II, UPDRS III, and HY scales than did PD-C or patients with a mild depression. Moreover, patients with a moderate depression scored significantly higher on the UPDRS II, UPDRS III, and HY scales than did PD-C or those with a mild depression.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that depression and motor symptoms/well-being are highly intertwined in patients with PD.     

Factors affecting the quality of life of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease--a cross-sectional study in an outpatient clinic attendees

PURPOSE: To determine the factors associated with poor quality of life (QoL) in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) in a clinic-based sample. SCOPE: One hundred patients were included in this study. To assess the quality of life the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) was used. A structured questionnaire interview and a complete neurological examination, including the Hoehn and Yahr scale (H-Y), the Schwab and England disability scale, II, III, IV parts of the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS part II, III, IV), Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS) and the Mini-Mental state examination (MMSE) were performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The most important predictive factor was MADRS score, followed by clinical fluctuations as measured by UPDRS part IVB and the H-Y stage of disease, which account for 79% of the variance of QoL scores. Therefore, recognition of depression should become an important part of treatment of PD.     

影响帕金森病患者生活质量的因素

目的探讨影响帕金森病(PD)患者生活质量的因素。方法采用PD生活质量问卷(PDQL)、PD统一评定量表(UPDRS)、Hoehn-Yahr分期、Schwab-England残疾量表、汉密顿抑郁量表(HAMD)对71例PD患者的生活质量、疾病严重程度、日常生活能力、运动反应、精神状态及治疗并发症等指标进行评估,结合患者的年龄、性别、起病情况、吸烟、左旋多巴剂量、症状波动等因素评价其对生活质量的影响。结果一元相关分析显示:病程越长、治疗时间越久、左旋多巴剂量越大、UPDRS各项评分、Hoehn-Yahr分期越高,以及有抑郁或症状波动的PD患者生活质量越差(P<0.05～0.01)。逐步回归分析显示:影响PD患者生活质量的主要因素是患者的情感功能,其次是疾病的严重程度。结论情感功能是影响PD患者生活质量最重要的因素。     

Depression and care-dependency in Parkinson's disease: results from a nationwide study of 1449 outpatients

Parkinson's disease (PD) is frequently compounded by neuropsychiatric complications, increasing disability. The combined effect of motor and mental status on care-dependency in PD outpatients is not well characterized. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1449 PD outpatients. The assessment comprised the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the diagnostic criteria for dementia. PD severity and treatment complications were rated using Hoehn and Yahr staging and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) IV. The acknowledged level of care-dependency was documented. Care-dependency was present in 18.3% of all patients. A total of 13.9% had dementia, 18.8% had depression, and 14.3% had both. Regression analyses revealed increasing effects of age, PD duration, and PD severity on care-dependency in all three mental-disorder subgroups with the strongest effects in patients with depression only. Depressed patients with antidepressive treatment still had significantly higher PD severity, higher MADRS and UPDRS-IV scores but were not more likely to be care-dependent than non-depressed patients. Older age, longer duration and increased severity of PD contribute to care-dependency in patients with untreated depression. Treatment of depression is associated with lower rates of care-dependency.     

Depression in patients with Parkinson's disease

The aim of our study was to assess the frequency of depression in group of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of PD, had normal CT scans and responded well to L-dopa treatment. The sample consisted of 73 consecutive patients (34 women and 39 men), mean age 65.7 (41-81) years, mean duration of disease 6.7 years. Besides neurological examination, in all the patients the degree of motor impairment was evaluated using the UPDRS, H-Y, and SE scales. Moreover, a sociodemographic questionnaire, psychological tests (MADRS, MMSE), and a quality of life scale (PDQ-39) were used. Depression (MADRS scores > 19) was found in 25 (34.2%) of the patients, with major depression (scores > 28) diagnosed in 7 patients (9.5%) and moderate depression (scores between 20 and 28)--in 18 cases (24.6%). In comparison to non-depressed patients, those with depression were older by 0.9 years on the average, their onset of the disease occurred later by 1.7 years, and their mean duration of the disease was longer by 2.6 years. These differences were not statistically significant. Dementia (MMSE scores < or = 23) did not differentiate between the two groups: it was found in 27 depressed patients (37.4%) and in 26 (35.6%) of those without depression. Patients in the depressed group suffered statistically more often from sleep disorders (19 vs. 14; p < 0.001). In this group motor impairment was significantly more marked, as measured by the UPDRS (32.2 vs. 46.8; p < 0.001) and H-Y (2.54 vs 2.98; p < 0.007), and their quality of life as measured by PDQ-39 questionnaire was significantly lower (36.4 vs. 82.24; p < 0.00002). Our data indicate the presence of depression in 34.2% of the sample, i.e. a somewhat lower prevalence rate than that reported in other studies. This may be due to the fact that only outpatient population was analysed, and outpatients are seldom categorized as degree 4 and 5 on the H-Y scale. Depression on PD patients was correlated with their more severe motor disability and considerably lower quality of life. This may suggest a relationship with progression of the disease and more pronounced changes in cerebral neurotransmitters (i.e. endogenous origin), or PD patient's response to their limited mobility and isolation in later stages of the disease (i.e. reactive origin). However, the two factors--endogenous and reactive--may be overlapping, since a majority of PD patients suffer from mild to moderate depression.     

帕金森病患者自主神经功能障碍评估

目的：评估帕金森病（PD）患者中自主神经功能障碍症状发生比例、各症状分布的差异，及其与PD临床特点之间的关系。方法：应用SCOPA-AUT量表、统一帕金森病评分量表（UPDRS）、日常生活能力量表（ADL）、Hamilton抑郁量表和简易智能量表（MMSE）对116例原发性PD患者进行评估。结果：SCOPA-AUT总分和消化系统（GI）症状、排尿（UR）症状、体温调节（TH）症状、性功能（SX）症状评分均高于对照组，差异有极显著统计学意义（P=0．0001）。SCOPA-AUT总分与UPDRS评分、Hamilton抑郁量表评分呈正相关（P〈0．001），与生活质量ADL评分呈负相关（P〈0．001）。结论：自主神经功能障碍在PD早期就会出现，并随着疾病进展而加重，影响患者的生活质量。     

Social support plays a role in depression in Parkinson's disease: a cross-section study in a Chinese cohort

To investigate the association between social support and depression in Parkinson's disease (PD), 121 PD patients were enrolled in our study. Interview of questionnaires and neurological examinations, including Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Chinese Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Hoehn and Yahr Stage, Schwab and England Scale (SE) and unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) were performed. Increased level of UPDRS and lowered social support were associated with depression in PD patients. Stepwise regression analysis showed that objective social support, UPDRS part 1 and duration of disease manifested significant correlation to patients' depression degree. Therefore, social support plays an important role in depression in PD.     

Depression rating scales in Parkinson's disease: critique and recommendations.

Depression is a common comorbid condition in Parkinson's disease (PD) and a major contributor to poor quality of life and disability. However, depression can be difficult to assess in patients with PD due to overlapping symptoms and difficulties in the assessment of depression in cognitively impaired patients. As several rating scales have been used to assess depression in PD (dPD), the Movement Disorder Society commissioned a task force to assess their clinimetric properties and make clinical recommendations regarding their use. A systematic literature review was conducted to explore the use of depression scales in PD and determine which scales should be selected for this review. The scales reviewed were the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression Scale (Ham-D), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part I, Cornell Scale for the Assessment of Depression in Dementia (CSDD), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Seven clinical researchers with clinical and research experience in the assessment of dPD were assigned to review the scales using a structured format. The most appropriate scale is dependent on the clinical or research goal. However, observer-rated scales are preferred if the study or clinical situation permits. For screening purposes, the HAM-D, BDI, HADS, MADRS, and GDS are valid in dPD. The CES-D and CSDD are alternative instruments that need validation in dPD. For measurement of severity of depressive symptoms, the Ham-D, MADRS, BDI, and SDS scales are recommended. Further studies are needed to validate the CSDD, which could be particularly useful for the assessment of severity of dPD in patients with comorbid dementia. To account for overlapping motor and nonmotor symptoms of depression, adjusted instrument cutoff scores may be needed for dPD, and scales to assess severity of motor symptoms (e.g., UPDRS) should also be included to help adjust for confounding factors. The HADS and the GDS include limited motor symptom assessment and may, therefore, be most useful in rating depression severity across a range of PD severity; however, these scales appear insensitive in severe depression. The complex and time-consuming task of developing a new scale to measure depression specifically for patients with PD is currently not warranted.     

重复经颅磁刺激治疗帕金森病2年随访

目的随访观察重复经颅磁刺激(r TMS)治疗帕金森病(PD)患者的疗效。方法应用统一PD评分量表第Ⅲ部分(UPDRSⅢ)、Hoehn-Yahr(H-Y)分级、PD非运动症状(NMS)筛查问卷(NMSQ)、PD睡眠量表(PDSS)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)、汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)和简易智能量表(MMSE)对37例应用药物和r TMS治疗的PD患者(r TMS+药物组)及45例单纯药物治疗的PD患者(药物组)在基线和2年随访末的运动症状(MS)和非运动症状(NMS)进行评估,对比分析两组患者病情进展。结果 r TMS+药物组2年随访末H-Y分级较基线显著升高(P 0.05);药物组2年随访末UPDRSⅢ、H-Y分级、HAMD、HAMA评分及左旋多巴等效剂量(LED)较基线均显著升高(P 0.05);对两组2年随访末的症状进行比较,药物组的UPDRSⅢ、H-Y分级、HAMD评分及LED较r TMS+药物组升高显著(P 0.05)。结论规律的r TMS辅助常规抗PD药物治疗可减缓PD进展,优于单纯抗PD药物治疗。     

伴快速眼球运动睡眠行为障碍的帕金森病患者临床特征

目的 评价快速眼球运动睡眠行为障碍(RBD)在帕金森病(PD)患者中的患病率以及伴发RBD的PD患者临床特征.方法 2007年连续入组124例PD患者,采用非运动症状问卷(NMSquest)第25项问答结果调查PD患者中RBD患病率;将入选患者分为RBD组(78例)和非RBD组(13例),采用统一PD评分量表(UPDRS)、Hoehn-Yahr(H-Y)分级比较2组运动症状严重程度和运动并发症发生情况;选用NMSquest量表比较2组非运动症状发生情况,选用MMSE、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)、汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)、帕金森病睡眠量表(PDSS)和Epworth嗜睡量表(ESS)比较2组认知功能、焦虑和抑郁、夜间睡眠障碍和日间思睡程度.结果 (1)RBD的患病率为62.9%(78/124);(2)RBD组患者的病程[(3.8±2.8)年]显著短于非RBD组[(5.0±2.5)年,t=-1.972,P=0.048],但在性别、年龄、起病年龄、发病类型、左旋多巴等效剂量(LDE)和用药种类上2组差异没有统计学意义;(3)在运动症状中RBD与非RBD组在H-Y分级、UPDRS-Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ评分以及运动并发症发生率方面差异无统计学意义;(4)在非运动症状中胃肠道功能、自主神经系统功能、精神和睡眠活动等方面的不良症状在RBD组的发生率显著高于非RBD组,但是认知、焦虑和抑郁、夜间睡眠障碍和日间思睡的严重程度在2组间差异没有统计学意义.结论 RBD在PD患者中的患病率较高,伴发RBD的PD患者病程较短且非运动系统受累更加广泛.     

蒙特利尔认知评估量表在帕金森病认知障碍患者中的应用价值

目的 分析蒙特利尔认知评估(MoCA)量表(中文版)在筛查帕金森病(PD)患者中认知障碍的应用价值.方法 使用RoSA编制的,根据年龄及教育程度调整的MMSE分界值筛出整体认知功能正常的213例PD患者,并进一步使用MoCA量表对其进行分组,MoCA评分≥26分的PD患者入PD认知正常组(PD-NC组),MoCA评分<26分的PD患者入PD认知损害组(PD-CI组).比较2组患者MoCA各分测验分数的差异及认知功能改变的特点,并应用单因素及多元Logistic回归分析PD患者认知损害的影响因素.结果 (1)PD组患者中52.6%(112/213)的患者MoCA评分<26分;(2)与PD-NC组比较,PD-CI组在MoCA视空间和执行、命名、注意力、语言、抽象、延迟回忆、定向分测验中得分诸项比较均有统计学意义;(3)Logistic回归分析结果显示,低文化程度是PD患者认知损害的影响因素(OR:0.72,95%CI0.64～0.81,P<0.05).结论 MMSE正常者中仍然存在相当比例的患者MoCA评分异常.因此,临床上建议使用MoCA对PD患者认知水平进行测试,在患者未达到PD痴呆时,应结合患者的教育水平及时发现并处理患者认知损害症状,使PD患者得到及时治疗并能提高生活质量.

Abstract：

Objective To examine the application of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in Parkinson' s disease (PD) patients with normal general cognitive function by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) evaluation.Methods PD patients were examined with MMSE, and those having a normal ageand education-adjusted MMSE score were included in the further study of MoCA testing.The patients with MoCA score not less than 26 were selected into normal control PD-NC group, and the patients with less than 26 into cognitive impaired PD-CI group.Scores of MoCA subtests were used in PD-CI group and PD-NC group to characterize cognitive changes in PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MoCA score in PD-CI group used as dependent variable, and sex, educational level, age, course of disease, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), Self-rating depression Scale (SDS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Unified Parkinson' s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) were used as independent variable, the risk factors of CI in PD patients was analysed by Linear Regression Analysis.Results There are 52.6% (112/213) PD patients with MMSE ≥ 26 while their MoCA < 26.Significant differences were observed in subtests of MoCA in visuospatial, executive, naming, attention,language, abstract, delayed recall and orientation between PD-CI group and PD-NC group (all P <0.01).Univariate and multivariate regression analysis showed that educational level is the most significant factor in PD-CI (OR:0.72, 95% CI 0.64-0.81, P < 0.05).Conclusions There is a high proportion of PD patients whose MMSE test showed normal but MoCA test showed cognitive impairment.MoCA examination was used to detect cognitive function of PD patients.Furthermore we suggest consider the education level in PD patients when evaluate their cognitive function.     

帕金森病患者便秘相关因素分析

目的 探讨PD患者便秘的相关因素.方法 选取PD患者212例,采用便秘量表评定PD患者的便秘程度,详细记录患者的年龄、病程、用药情况,并进行UPDRSⅢ评分、Hoehn-Yahr分期、汉密顿抑郁量表(HAMD)评分、中文版简易智能精神状态检查量表(MMSE)评分,将各项因素与便秘进行偏相关分析,并利用二分类Logistic回归分析筛选PD患者合并便秘的危险因素.结果 212例PD患者的年龄、Hoehn-Yahr分期、HAMD总分与便秘有显著的相关关系(P＜0.05),是便秘的危险因素,而性别、病程、盐酸苯海索每日剂量、吡呗地尔每日剂量、左旋多巴每日剂量、UPDRSⅢ评分、MMSE总分与便秘无显著的相关关系(P＞0.05).结论 PD患者便秘与年龄、Hoehn-Yahr分期、HAMD总分有关.     

帕金森病患者非运动症状发生及相关影响因素的研究

目的 研究帕金森病(PD)非运动症状的发生和分布情况及其与多种相关因素的关系。方法 对68例原发性PD患者使用统一PD评分量表(uPDRs)、PD非运动症状30问卷量表(the PD NMS questionnaire,NMSQuest)、日常生活能力量表(ADL)和简易智能量表(MMsE)进行评分,并对非运动症状进行评估。结果 所有PD患者各个时期病程均有非运动症状的出现,平均每个PD患者出现9项左右不同的非运动症状,并且非运动症状的发生与PD疾病的进展相关,与Hoehn and yahr(H-Y)分级呈正相关(P<0.01),与UPDRsⅢ运动评分呈正相关(P<0.01),且影响患者的生活质量,与ADL评分呈负相关P<0.05),而与年龄、性别、PD发病类型和左旋多巴每日治疗量无关(P>0.05)。结论 非运动症状的发生在PD中很普遍,各项发生率随PD患者的临床特点及病程进展的情况变化,NMS发生数与PD的疾病严重程度呈正相关,对患者生活质量产生严重影响,需要全面认识和及时干预。     

Untreated depressive symptoms among cognitively-intact, community dwelling Filipino patients with Parkinson disease

The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its correlation with the quality of life among cognitively intact, community dwelling Filipino patients with Parkinson disease (PD) not treated pharmacologically for depression. In this prospective, cross-sectional study 76 PD patients were included. Demographic data were obtained including: age, gender, onset of disease, disease duration, and medication intake. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was performed to exclude significant cognitive impairment. The Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was administered to quantify the degree of depressive symptoms. The degree of depressive symptoms was correlated with the SF 36 and UPDRS Parts II and III. Our cohort of patients had a mean age of 61 years (range: 42-81 years), and disease duration of 2.7 years (33 months); 46 (61%) experienced significant depressive symptoms based on the MADRS cutoff score of >14. Depressive symptoms were associated with poorer performance on both UPDRS Parts II and III and SF 36. Untreated depressive symptoms among Filipinos with PD may be higher compared to other PD populations but prospective and age-matched controlled studies will need to be performed to confirm these preliminary observations. The presence of depressive symptoms was significantly correlated with poorer quality of life and level of functioning.     

The importance of educational and psychological factors in Parkinson''s disease quality of life

OBJECTIVE: To define the factors correlated with quality of life (QoL) in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). BACKGROUND: PD has a substantial impact on QoL. Although several clinical factors have been associated with QoL in PD, the influence of patient's education still remains controversial. METHODOLOGY: A consecutive series of patients with PD were examined using the unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS part I, II, III), Schwab and England (SE), and Hoehn and Yahr stage (H&Y). QoL was rated with the PDQ-39, cognition with the Mini-Mental State examination (MMSE), and the presence of depressive symptoms with the geriatric depression scale (GDS). Patient's characteristics, estimated cumulative levodopa dose (CLD), UPDRS, H&Y, MMSE and GDS were correlated with the PDQ-39 using univariate and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of one hundred 58 patients (68 men, 90 women) with a mean age of 65.6 +/- 9.3 years, PD duration of 8.1 +/- 10.6 years, and education of 6.6 +/- 3.9 years were included. The mean PDQ-39 was 48.8 +/- 27.8, mean MMSE was 25.7 +/- 4, and mean GDS was 11.7 +/- 6.8. Using stepwise multiple regression analysis, the most important predictive factors were depression, UPDRS part I, UPDRS part II, and educational background, which accounted for a 61% of the variability of the PDQ-39 scores. CONCLUSIONS: In our PD sample, educational, behavioural, and psychological factors influenced life satisfaction more than physical ones.