The Influence of Unilateral Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation on the Quality of Life of Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Özet

AIM: To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire 39 (PDQ-39) after unilateralsubthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) and to identify correlations between the changes in UPDRS (Unified Parkinson’sDisease Rating Scale) scores and separate PDQ-39 QoL dimensions and PDQ summary index (SI) score at short-term follow-up(FU1) and long-term follow-up (FU2).MATERIAL and METHODS: We evaluated 33 patients with PD after unilateral STN DBS. All patients were assessed at baselineand at FU1 and at FU2. HRQoL levels were determined by applying PDQ-39 and PD progression was evaluated by parts I-IV of theUPDRS.RESULTS: All dimensions of PDQ-39 as well as PDQ-39 SI score were highly significantly improved at FU1. The same improvementswere mostly visible at FU2 except for psychosocial functioning. The PDQ-39 SI score was reduced by 40 % (p<0.01) at FU1 and by25 % (p<0.01) at FU2. A significant reduction between the UPDRS baseline scores and the UPDRS follow-up scores was noticedfor medication off and on conditions under unilateral STN DBS. Interestingly, we did not find strong positive correlations betweenthe improvements of the UPDRS scores and individual PDQ-39 dimensions as well as PDQ-39 SI score.CONCLUSION: Improvements in PDQ-39 dimensions and PDQ-39 SI score are maintained at FU1 and except for the aspectsof psychosocial functioning at FU2. Different correlations between the improvements of separate UPDRS scores on PDQ-39dimensions require future studies in larger study groups.