Depression is a common psychiatric condition in Parkinson's disease (PD), yet the burden of depression on health-related quality of life (HRQL) has not been clearly delineated in this patient population.
Objective: To evaluate the impact of depression and life stress on HRQL in the Canadian community dwelling population with PD.
Methods: A total of 259 respondents from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS 1.1) with self-reported PD were interviewed. Measures included Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3), Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form for Major Depression and a single question regarding the amount of stress in their lives most days. Adjusted HUI3 scores were compared according to depression and life stress using ANCOVA models.
Results: Respondents without depression had overall HUI3 scores that were 0.29 units higher than respondents with depression [adjusted mean (95% CI) 0.49 (0.39-0.59) vs. 0.20 (0.03-0.37)]. The difference in overall HUI3 scores between respondents who reported high levels of stress as those who did not was 0.19 [adjusted mean (95% CI) 0.42 (0.29-0.55) vs. 0.23 (0.10-0.36)].
Conclusions: Substantial impact of depression and life stress, two modifiable factors, on HRQL is seen in PD. HRQL may be improved by clinical management of these nonmotor symptoms in PD.