Assessing the Levels of Quality of Life for elderly People inflicted by Parkinson's Disease in the City of Baghdad

Abstract

Background: Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system and it is considered a progressive disorder whose symptoms become worse over time. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are confronted with physical, psychological, and psychosocial issues that impact quality of life (QoL). Parkinson's disease happens most commonly in the people of middle age and elderly, though roughly 10% of patients are under the age of forty. Although Parkinson's disorder may finally be disabling, the disease often only progresses gradually. The primary feature of Parkinson's disease is tremors which are the uncontrolled and rhythmic movements of the hands, arms, legs and even jaw. Later on, muscle rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs, occurs in all muscle groups but is commonly in the arms, shoulders and neck.Objectives: The study aims to assess the levels of quality of life of elderly with Parkinson's disease in Baghdad city and then to find out relationship between these levels and some demographic characteristic.Methods: A descriptive study was performed between 01th of March. 2013 and 10th of July 2013. A non-probability accidental sample of 156 elderly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Participants were recruited from a variety of places; two elderly Nursing Homes, and two Neurological Teaching hospitals: the Neurological Specialties Hospital and Neurological hospital, in the city of Baghdad. A constructed questionnaire was used in this study. This questionnaire consists of two parts; demographic characteristics; gender, age, marital status, number of children, occupation and duration of illness; and 39 items [Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39)]. Data were analysed by applying descriptive and inferential analysis.Results: The results indicate that 55.8% of the participants have poor level of quality of life. There is a significant association between levels of quality of life and the place of recruitment but there is no association between the levels of quality of life and other demographic characteristics of the elderly with Parkinson's disease.Recommendations: The study recommends improving the circumstances in the elderly nursing homes and to add more social and recreational activities within these Homes, in addition supervising their condition and treatment by the specialists.