Population-based case-control study of morale in Parkinson's disease.
BACKGROUND
Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with cognitive, psychiatric, and motor features. Each could contribute to a poor sense of well-being and low morale. A systematic study of morale in community-dwelling PD cases has not been performed.


METHODS
A total of 52 PD cases and 260 matched controls from three Spanish communities were assessed using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS) (range = 0[low morale]-17). The PGCMS includes three dimensions of psychological well-being: agitation, lonely dissatisfaction, and attitude toward own aging.


RESULTS
The PGCMS score was lower in PD cases than controls (8.71 +/- 3.64 vs. 11.03 +/- 2.77, P < 0.001), as were the agitation subscore (3.36 +/- 1.91 vs. 4.07 +/- 1.59, P < 0.05), lonely dissatisfaction subscore (3.48 +/- 1.36 vs. 4.11 +/- 1.12, P < 0.01), and attitude toward own aging subscore (1.86 +/- 1.37 vs. 2.85 +/- 1.13, P < 0.001). In a linear regression analysis that adjusted for depressive symptoms and other covariates, PD cases had a lower PGCMS score than controls (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Morale was significantly lower in community-dwelling PD cases than matched controls. The detection and possible treatment of this problem may improve the psychological well-being of patients with this disease.
Benito-León
J
J
Department of Neurology, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. jbenitol@meditex.es
Louis
E D
ED
Bermejo-Pareja
F
F
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D001290:Attitude; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016014:Linear Models; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D009013:Morale; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires