Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Caregiver's Burden in Parkinson's Disease Patients in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in South India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

In patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), the occurrence of motor and non-motor symptoms increases with disease progression. The range of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) vary among individuals and can be burdensome for caregivers. Only a few studies have identified the contributing factors of NPS and caregiver burden in India.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to study the clinical profile, disability, and predictive factors of NPS in PD patients and associated caregiver's burden.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

This was a cross-sectional observational study carried out in PD patients and their respective caregivers attending a movement disorder clinic in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Kerala. A total of 104 patients diagnosed with idiopathic PD receiving levodopa therapy and who had a primary caregiver were enrolled in the study. Structured questionnaires were administered to both patients and caregivers to collect data. Data analysis was done using an independent t-test, linear, and multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

Among 104 patients recruited for the study, 61.5% of patients had shown at least one NPS and 40.44% showed multiple NPS. Results from the study showed that depression is the primary NPS occurring in IPD patients (55.8%) followed by irritability, anxiety, and apathy. On linear regression models, the prime determinant of NPS was the Everyday Abilities Scale for India (EASI). For caregiver burden, the main determinants were the presence of NPS, duration of caregiving, EASI, and RBDSQ score.

CONCLUSIONS

NPS in PD are highly associated with and are determinants of caregiver burden. Detailed assessment and specific interventions aimed at NPS could alleviate caregiver burden.