PDQ-39 Continues to Move in Wrong Direction

I haven’t done the Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQ-39) since August. I continue to show a steady decline in self-reported symptoms. Lower numbers are better, symptom-wise.

In the area of Mobility, I’ve gone from a score of 82.5 in June to 92.5 now. That’s a 12.12 percent increase.

In Activities of Daily Living, I’ve gone from 29.16 in June to 33.33 now. That’s a 14.3 percent increase.


In Emotional Well-Being, I’ve gone from 50 in June to 58.33 now. That’s a 16.66 percent increase.

In “Stigma of PD,” I remain at 25. No change.

In “Social Support, I remain at 0. No change.

In Cognition, I’ve gone from 75 in June to 81.25 now. An 8.33 percent increase.

In Communication Ability, I’ve gone from 41.66 in June to 66.7 now. That’s a 25.04 percent increase.

In Bodily Discomfort, I remain at 10. No change.

My PDQ-39 Single Index number has gone from 48.331 in June to 55.055 now… a 13.91 percent increase.  That places me in Hoehn & Yahr Stage IV Parkinson's disease.  (Cutoff between Stage III and Stage IV is 48.59.)

We’ll check ‘er again in June.