Mutuality of the marital relationship in Parkinson's disease

To assess the association between mutuality of the marital relationship in Parkinson's disease with disease severity, disability, mental health, quality of life, and caregiver burden. Spouses of patients with PD completed questionnaires assessing mutuality of the marital relationship (Mutuality Scale) and caregiver strain (Caregiver Strain Index). Patients and spouses completed scales assessing their mental health (Brief Symptom Inventory-18), medical co-morbidity (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale) and health-related QoL (SF-12v2). PD severity and disability were assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and the Older Americans Resource and Services Disability Scale. The relationships between mutuality and patient and spousal variables were analyzed with univariate correlations and multiple regression. Ninety-six spouse-patient pairs were assessed. Increased mutuality, as reported by the spouse was associated with reduced caregiver burden, less depression of both spouse and patient, and less PD severity. Mutuality was inversely correlated with gait impairment, with lesser correlations for balance, urinary incontinence and motor fluctuations. Greater mutuality between spouses and patients with PD is associated with better mental health of both partners, reduced caregiver burden and improved spousal quality of life. PD severity, especially gait, balance, urinary incontinence and motor fluctuations are particular stressors on the marital relationship.