Impact of fatigue on quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Background and purpose: Fatigue is frequent and important in the lives of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. It is multidimensional, with physical and mental aspects. The aim of our study was to explore the impact of fatigue on quality of life (QoL) for PD patients.

Methods: The sample consisted of 175 PD patients from Eastern Slovakia (52% males, mean age 68.2 +/- 9.2, mean disease duration 7.4 +/- 6.7). The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (five dimensions), the Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (eight dimensions) and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale were used. Demographic data were obtained in a structured interview. Fisher's exact test, t-test, and multiple linear regression analysis were used.

Results: Different aspects of fatigue selectively explained different domains of QoL - physical dimensions of fatigue were connected with Mobility and Activities of daily living; mental fatigue dimensions affected Cognition, Emotional well-being, Communication and Activities of daily living; general fatigue was related to Bodily discomfort. The explained variances varied from 5% (Social support) to 65% (Activities of daily living).

Conclusion: Fatigue combined with worse functional status appears to be a significant contributor to poor quality of life. Its multidimensional construct can be used to develop strategies for improving specific aspects of fatigue to improve QoL for PD patients.