Imagine you have a favorite video game, but some days you just can’t enjoy it as much because you’re too sleepy. Well, researchers wanted to know how excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) affects the quality of life (QoL) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). They conducted a longitudinal study, following 306 PD patients over 2 years, and compared their QoL between those with and without EDS. The results showed that patients with PD and EDS had poorer QoL and experienced more non-motor symptoms like depression and sleep behavior disorder. On the other hand, the predictors of QoL varied between the two groups. For PD patients with EDS, the major predictors were the type of PD, disease duration, and medication dosage. For PD patients without EDS, the primary factors were disease severity, cognitive abilities, and sleep behavior disorder. These findings highlight the importance of considering specific clinical factors when aiming to improve the QoL of PD patients. If you want to dive deeper into this fascinating research, check out the full article!
ObjectiveThere is a lack of longitudinal studies that directly compare the quality of life (QoL) and investigate the impact of clinical factors on QoL across different excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) statuses in Parkinson’s disease (PD); therefore, we aimed to compare QoL and reveal the potential heterogeneous predictors of QoL between patients with PD with and without EDS.MethodsWe collected clinical data among 306 patients with PD over 2 years. EDS was assessed by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and QoL was measured with the 39-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire.ResultsWe found that at both baseline and follow-up, patients with PD with EDS had poorer QoL and suffered more non-motor symptoms including depression and clinical probable rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (cpRBD). The generalized linear mixed model analysis indicated that the major predictors of QoL in PD with EDS were the akinetic-rigid type, disease duration, and total levodopa equivalent dose, while in PD without EDS, the primary determinants of QoL were Hoehn and Yahr, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and cpRBD.ConclusionPatients with PD with EDS presented with poorer QoL. Besides, the baseline predictors of future QoL differed between patients with PD with and without EDS. These findings remind clinicians to target specific clinical factors when attempting to improve QoL among patients with PD.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.