Depression and anxiety among patients with Parkinson’s disease: frequency, risk factors, and impact on quality of life

Depression and anxiety are non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are often overlooked and underrated. This study aimed to highlight the frequency and risk factors of depression and anxiety among subjects with PD. Sixty-four patients with PD who were diagnosed according to United Kingdom Parkinson’s Disease Society (UKPDS) Brain Bank Criteria and 50 sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects are evaluated for depression and anxiety. PD severity and staging were assessed using Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Hoehn and Yahr scale. Depression and anxiety were diagnosed using DSM-IV TR criteria and scored using Hamilton Depression and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scales (HAM-D and HAM-A). The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF was used to assess impact of depression and anxiety on quality of life. 31.25% of patients with PD had depression while 40.6% of patients had anxiety disorder. Depression was higher in females and patients with history of depression and low socioeconomic status (SES). Anxiety was common in young patients and those who had history of anxiety. Overlap between depression and anxiety was recorded in 23.4%. Total UPDRS and Hoehn and Yahr scale accounted for 33.4% of variance for depression. Total UPDRS and earlier age of onset accounted for 39% of variance for anxiety. Advanced disease stage and severity were independent predictors for depression while disease severity and younger age of onset were the main predictors for anxiety. Depression and anxiety have a negative impact on the overall quality of life of PD patients especially on physical and psychosocial domains. Depression and anxiety are relatively common in PD. Female gender, low SES, and history of depression were the main risk factors for developing depression. Young age and history of anxiety were risk factors for anxiety. Both had negative impact on quality of life.