Clinical Features and Quality of Life of Patients with Parkinson’s Disease at Binh Thanh District Hospital

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly affects patients' daily lives. This study aimed to delineate the clinical characteristics of PD and assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) among PD patients treated at Binh Thanh District Hospital. The findings are intended to enhance understanding and inform better management of PD in Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted involving patients diagnosed with PD according to the United Kingdom Parkinson’s Disease Society Brain Bank (UKPDSBB) criteria. Participants were recruited from the Outpatient Department of Binh Thanh District Hospital. Data collected included clinical features, Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) disease stage, and PDQ-39 scores. A total of 108 patients were enrolled in the study. Results: The study of 108 participants had a mean age of 66.2 ± 12.2 years, with 80.0% aged over 60 years. Males accounted for 40.4% of the study group. The mean duration of illness was 5.5 ± 4.3 years, with 55.6% having PD for more than 5 years. Unilateral onset was reported by 86.1% of patients. The most frequently reported motor symptoms were resting tremor (89.8%), rigidity (87.0%), and freezing of gait (79.6%). The majority of participants (96.3%) were in H&Y stages I, II, or III, with stage II being the most prevalent (45.4%). The mean PDQ-39 Summary Index was 10.41 ± 4.00, suggesting a relatively preserved overall HRQoL. However, the domains most adversely affected were Mobility (mean score: 23.3 ± 11.4) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (mean score: 13.0 ± 6.1). Significantly poorer HRQoL (higher PDQ-39 scores) was observed in patients with disease duration greater than 5 years (p=0.02) and in those at H&Y stages III and IV (p < 0.001), highlighting the progressive nature of PD. Conclusions: The study highlights the significant impact of PD on mobilityand ADL. Disease duration and severity are key predictors of HRQoL. These findings underscore the necessity of a comprehensive assessment that includes both motor and non-motor well-being in the management of PD. DOI: 10.59715/pntjmp.4.3.2