Ana L. Guerra-Anzaldo, Laboratorio Clínico de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City, Mexico
Germán Rivera-Monroy, Laboratorio Clínico de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City, Mexico
Amin Cervantes-Arriaga, Laboratorio Clínico de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City, Mexico
Karen I. Sánchez-Ramírez, Laboratorio Clínico de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City, Mexico
Ariadna Domínguez-García, Laboratorio Clínico de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City, Mexico
Mayela Rodríguez-Violante, Laboratorio Clínico de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City, Mexico
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate changes in stigma over 1 year among people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP). Methods: A longitudinal, observational study was conducted. Data were collected at 2 time points: baseline and at a 1-year follow-up visit. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including disease severity, motor and non-motor symptoms severity and health-related quality of life. Stigma was assessed using the corresponding subdomain of the 39-item PD Questionnaire. Results: A total of 117 PwP were included (55.6% male; mean age 61.9 ± 12.4 years). After a mean follow-up of 12.8 months, significant improvements were observed in motor symptoms, mobility, and activities of daily living. Stigma levels remained largely unchanged overall, with only 29.1% of participants showing improvement. This group had greater reductions in non-motor symptoms and total Movement Disorder Society-Unified PD Rating Scale scores compared to those with no change or worsening. Multivariate analysis identified changes in perceived social support and presence of anxiety as significant predictors of stigma improvement (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: While clinical improvements were observed over 1 year, self-perceived stigma remained mostly unchanged. Improvement in stigma was associated with better patient-reported outcomes and linked to lower anxiety and better perceived social support. These findings show the importance of integrating psychosocial strategies into PD care to address stigma effectively.
Keywords: Parkinson's disease. Social stigma. Quality of life.
