The objective of this study was to examine the quality of Life in patients
with Parkinson's disease (PD) in a community-based sample (n = 228 patients
) using a Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) a
s a measure. Associations to the variables age, age at onset, duration, cli
nical stage (Hoehn and Yahr), depression (Zung), and dementia (MMSE) were s
tudied. Women scored significantly lower on five of the eight dimensions of
SF-36. Depression, as measured in this study, was more common among parkin
sonian women than men. Depression was the factor that: was associated most
significantly with the experienced quality of life, according to SF-36. Wit
h physical functioning, only the clinical stage had a more significant asso
ciation than depression. To improve the quality of life in patients with PD
, it is necessary Co make every effort to recognize and relieve the depress
ion of patients with PD.