Comparison of Patient and Caregiver Assessments of Patient Disability in Parkinson's Disease (P04.186)

OBJECTIVE: The current study tested a questionnaire of functional status in both PD patients and caregivers and compared each group9s assessments to direct observation of patient ADLs. BACKGROUND: Parkinson9s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that significantly impairs activities of daily living (ADLs). Most ADL questionnaires are designed for completion by caregivers in order to remain valid at a range of disability. Yet it is unknown whether caregiver responses correlate with patient responses and if caregivers9 or patients9 responses reflect actual levels of patient disability. DESIGN/METHODS: 80 PD patients and their caregivers were recruited from the Penn Parkinson9s Disease and Movement Disorders Center. Patients and caregivers completed the Penn Daily Activities Questionnaire for PD (PDAQ-PD), a 98-item forced-choice test of functional disability in PD. We also administered the Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS), which involves observation of patients performing routine ADLs such as writing a check and using the phone. We administered the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) to assess cognition and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to assess mood. RESULTS: Patient and caregiver responses on the PDAQ-PD were significantly correlated (r= 0.693, p CONCLUSIONS: PD patients and caregivers agreed on the patient9s level of disability as measured by the PDAQ-PD. Disagreement tended to occur between caregivers and demented patients and between patients and depressed caregivers. Caregiver assessments of patient ADLs were more reflective of actual patient disability than were patients9 self-reports. Supported by: Morris K. Udall center of excellence grant by the NINDS. Disclosure: Dr. Choi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rick has nothing to disclose. Dr. Darin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tran has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lake has nothing to disclose. Dr. Goldmann Gross has nothing to disclose. Dr. Weintraub has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience, Lundbeck Research USA, Inc., Biogen Idec, Avanir Pharmaceuticals and Merck & Co. as a speaker and/or participant on an advisory board. Dr. Weintraub has received (royalty or license fee or contractual rights) payments from University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Weintraub has received research support from Novartis. Dr. Xie has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shea has nothing to disclose. Dr. Karlawish has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Dr. Karlawish has received compensation from Senior Bridge Inc. Dr. Karlawish has recieved (royalty of license fee or contractual rights) payments from Penn. Dr. Kalawish has received research support from a joint Pfizer-NIA project. Dr. Siderowf has received personal compensation from Avid Radiopharmaceuticals as an employee. Dr. Siderowf has received research support from Morris K. Udall Parkinson9s Disease Research Center of Excellence grant from NINDS, and a health research grant awarded by the Department of Health of the Commonwealt.