Table 2.
Sample characteristics
| PD (n = 51) | Controls (n = 36) | P-value e | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male gender, n (%) | 36 (71) | 14 (39) | 0.008 f |
| Age, mean (SD) | 66 (8.1) | 66.2 (9.3) | 0.889 g |
| Academic/professional degree, n (%) | 26 (51) | 19 (53) | 0.889 f |
| Physical functioning, median (q1-q3) a | 75 (50-90) | 90 (80-95) | 0.008 h |
| Mental health, median (q1-q3) a | 76 (64-88) | 84 (76-92) | 0.068 h |
| PD duration (years), mean (SD) | 9.8 (5.6) | - | - |
| Hoehn & Yahr ("on"), median (q1-q3; min-max) b,c | II (II-III; I-V) | - | - |
| Hoehn & Yahr ("off"), median (q1-q3; min-max) b,d | III (III-IV; I-V) | - | - |
| Motor fluctuations, n (%) | 36 (71) | - | - |
| Dyskiesias, n (%) | 25 (49) | - | - |
a According to the Physical Functioning and Mental Health scales of the SF-36. Possible score range, 0-100 (100 = better).
b Range, I-V (I = mild unilateral disease; II = Bilateral disease without postural impairment; III = Bilateral disease with postural impairment, moderate disability; IV = Severe disability, still able to walk and stand unassisted; V = Confined to bed or wheelchair unless aided) [23].
c As determined for the "on" phase, i.e. periods with good anti-parkinsonian drug response.
d As determined for the "off" phase, i.e. periods with poor or no anti-parkinsonian drug response.
e Adjusted for multiple testing using the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure [30].
f Chi-square test.
g Independent samples t-test.
h Mann-Whitney U-test.
PD, Parkinson's disease; SD, standard deviation; q1-q3, 25th and 75th percentiles.