Parkinson disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive disorder characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the mesencephalic substantia nigra. Lesions involving the subcortical pathways, especially the nigro-striato-pallidal path, are particularly common, and cause a series of disabling signs and symptoms. The aim of this study was to analyse the quality of life of individuals with PD and compare them to healthy controls. Forty subjects of both sexes were analysed, aged between 61 and 83, divided into two groups: Parkinson group (n=21), made up of individuals with idiopathic PD; and control group (n=19), of subjects with no neurodegenerative disorder. Data were collected by means of the Brazilian version of the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Data were statistically analysed and the significance level set at 1%. PD group subjects had SF-36 scores significantly lower than control ones, both in physical and mental health domains. Such low, perceived health-related quality of life among PD subjects is probably due to the co-occurrence of the neurodegenerative phenomena and the psychological distress provoked both by the disease itself and the stigma assigned to it. Interdisciplinary approaches should be encouraged to improve the quality of life of PD patients, aiming at postponing the physical and mental decline inherent to this degenerative condition.
Parkinson disease; Quality of life; Sickness impact profile
