Review

Quality of life and related concepts in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review

  1. Brenda L. Den Oudsten MSc1,*,
  2. Guus L. Van Heck PhD1,2,
  3. Jolanda De Vries PhD1,3

Article first published online: 21 MAY 2007

DOI: 10.1002/mds.21567

Issue

Movement Disorders

Movement Disorders

Volume 22, Issue 11, pages 1528–1537, 15 August 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

Den Oudsten, B. L., Van Heck, G. L. and De Vries, J. (2007), Quality of life and related concepts in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review. Movement Disorders, 22: 1528–1537. doi: 10.1002/mds.21567

Author Information

  1. 1

    Medical Psychology, Department of Psychology and Health, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands

  2. 2

    Tranzo, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands

  3. 3

    Medical Psychology, St. Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands

*Tilburg University, Department Psychology and Health, Medical Psychology, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 29 AUG 2007
  2. Article first published online: 21 MAY 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 11 APR 2007
  4. Manuscript Revised: 2 APR 2007
  5. Manuscript Received: 8 FEB 2007

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Keywords:

  • Parkinson's disease;
  • quality of life;
  • health-related quality of life;
  • health status;
  • systematic review

Abstract

Several studies have investigated the quality of life (QOL) of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The purpose of this study was to review the conceptual and methodological quality of quality of life (QOL) studies among patients with PD and to identify factors associated with poor (HR)QOL. Computerized bibliographic databases were screened for publications from 1960 to January 2007. According to a list of predefined criteria, the methodological quality of the 61 studies, was moderate. The term ‘QOL’ was often used inappropriately. In fact, almost all studies in this review actually assessed health status (HS) instead of QOL. The functioning of patients with PD on physical, social, and emotional domains is affected by PD. Their HS seems to be lower when compared to healthy persons or patients with other chronic diseases. HS studies augment the insight in self-perceived functioning. Therefore, HS is conceived as a valuable construct. However, QOL is also an important factor in health care. Attention towards QOL is needed in order to draw valid conclusions regarding a person's subjective experience of well-being in a broad sense. In order to accomplish this, future studies should apply the QOL concept with more rigor, should use an adequate operational definition, and should employ sound measures. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society

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