Examining the Relationship Between Physical Function and Anxiety/Depression in Parkinson's.

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurological disorder characterized by both motor and nonmotor symptoms, including tremor, muscle stiffness, anxiety, and depression.

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between physical function and psychological symptoms, specifically anxiety and depression, in people with Parkinson's (PwP). The secondary aim was to explore whether any discrepancies between participant-reported and clinician-rated measures of physical function exist.

METHODS

This study utilized the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) dataset, analyzing data from 1065 individuals with PD. Correlational analyses assessed relationships between clinician-rated and participant-reported motor outcomes alongside psychological symptoms. Multiple linear regression (MLR) was employed to identify predictors of anxiety and depression.

RESULTS

In PwP, significant correlations were found between depression/anxiety and participant-reported motor function (via MDS-UPDRS Part II: r = 0.313 for depression, r = 0.284 for anxiety, p < 0.05). In contrast, correlations with clinician-rated motor function (via MDS-UPDRS Part III) were weaker (r = 0.079 for depression, p < 0.05; r = 0.054 for anxiety, p = 0.08). MLR analysis indicated that in PwP, age, cognition, and participant-reported motor function explained 11.2% of the variance in depression and 10.5% in anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights a discrepancy between psychological symptoms and their relationship with clinician-rated versus participant-reported motor function in PwP. Our findings suggest that factors such as age, cognitive level, and perceived physical function significantly influence this relationship. Consequently, it is crucial to consider psychological factors and participant-reported motor function when conducting clinical assessments and treatment planning for individuals with PD.