The Impact of Impulsivity on Quality of Life in Early Drug-NaÃ¯ve Parkinson's Disease Patients

Ryu, Dong Woo; Kim, Joong Seok; Yoo, Sang Won; Oh, Yoon Sang; Lee, Kwang Soo

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) are mostly related to dopamine replacement therapy (DRT); however, drug-naÃ¯ve PD patients have also frequently experienced impulsivity. This phenomenon makes clinicians hesitate treating patients with DRT. In this study, we assessed the effect of impulsivity on quality of life (QOL) in drug-naÃ¯ve PD patients.
METHODS
Two hundred three newly diagnosed, nonmedicated PD patients were enrolled, and they received structured clinical interviews, physical examinations and validated questionnaires to evaluate motor and nonmotor symptoms and QOL. Impulsivity was evaluated using the Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's Disease-Rating Scale (QUIP-RS).
RESULTS
Thirty-eight patients (18.7%) had impulsivity with QUIP-RS scores â‰¥ 1 and 4 patients (2.0%) were diagnosed with combined ICDs. Motor and nonmotor symptoms were significantly correlated with the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 summary index. Female sex and QUIP-RS scores were also correlated with QOL in drug-naÃ¯ve PD patients.
CONCLUSION
The results of the present study showed that impulsivity negatively influences QOL in early drug-naÃ¯ve PD patients. In addition, more severe motor and nonmotor symptoms were also associated with lower QOL. Such findings complicate treatment but provide valuable information for managing early PD.