Caregiver distress associated with neuropsychiatric problems in patients with early Parkinson's disease: the Norwegian ParkWest study.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated caregiver distress associated with neuropsychiatric problems in patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease (PD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Persons who were next of kins of 198 patients and 168 healthy individuals completed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Caregiver Distress Scale.

RESULTS

Even at the time of diagnosis PD has a considerable impact on the next of kins' experience of distress. Nearly 50% reported distress, significantly more than in the control group, and more than one-quarter reported moderate severe distress. Except the more rarely reported neuropsychiatric symptoms, apathy was the symptom that most frequently caused caregiver distress in PD patient's next of kin (94.5%), followed by depression (88.2%), anxiety (86.2%) and irritability (83.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

The study underlines the importance of focusing on neuropsychiatric aspects in patients and associated caregiver distress even in early PD management.