[Association Between Parkinson's Disease and Functionality in Older Adults in Chile: The Case of the Maipú Commune].

Abstract

Population aging has caused a rise in neurodegenerative diseases among which includes Parkinson's disease. However, in Chile, there is still little knowledge about how Parkinson's disease is associated with functionality in elderly people.

Aim: to examine the association between Parkinson's disease and functionality in elderly people of Maipú, Metropolitan region, between the years 2017-2019.

Methods: A quantitative study with an observational design was conducted. A sample of 4.843 elderly people (≥65 years) enrolled in CESFAM Michelle Bachelet in Maipú was used. To examine the association between Parkinson's disease and functionality, we use logistic regression models adjusted by demographic, socioeconomic, and health variables.

Results: People with Parkinson's disease are 3.3 times more likely to experience functional limitation (p-value<0.001). At the same time, males (OR= 1.3; 95% CI 1,1-1,5; p-value<0.001), of old age (OR= 10; 95% CI 7,9-12,6; p-value<0.001, on people 85 years old) with low schooling (OR= 1,7) and belonging to A-B segment of FONASA (OR= 1,3) have more chances of having functional limitations.

Conclusion: The study shows a significant association between Parkinson's disease and functional limitations, supported by the literature. Although this study accounts for the specific reality of a territory, its results can be useful in designing strategies and interventions that could help improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson's disease and their families in other urban territories of the country.