Caregiver distress associated with neuropsychiatric problems in patients with early Parkinson's disease: the Norwegian ParkWest study

Objectives - We investigated caregiver distress associated with neuropsychiatric problems in patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease (PD). Materials and methods - Persons who were next of kins of 198 patients and 168 healthy individuals completed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Caregiver Distress Scale. Results - Even at the time of diagnosis PD has a considerable impact on the next of kins' experience of distress. Nearly 50% reported distress, significantly more than in the control group, and more than one-quarter reported moderate severe distress. Except the more rarely reported neuropsychiatric symptoms, apathy was the symptom that most frequently caused caregiver distress in PD patient's next of kin (94.5%), followed by depression (88.2%), anxiety (86.2%) and irritability (83.3%). Conclusions - The study underlines the importance of focusing on neuropsychiatric aspects in patients and associated caregiver distress even in early PD management.