Predictors of Loneliness in Parkinson's Disease and Craniocervical Dystonia

Loneliness is a state in which an individual feels socially isolated due to deficiencies in the quantity or quality of social relationships and interaction. To date very little is known about loneliness in Parkinson's disease (PD) and focal/segmental craniocervical dystonia (FSCD).

To explore whether level of loneliness is disease-specific by comparing PD, FCSD and healthy controls (HCs), and to define predictors of loneliness in both PD and FSCD.

Eighty-two people with PD, 63 people with FSCD and 50 HC were surveyed. The UCLA Loneliness Scale was used to assess loneliness. Various non-motor symptoms, psychosocial variables and measures of subjective well-being were assessed and used as potential predictors of loneliness.

There was no significant difference in reported levels of loneliness between people with PD and matched HCs, and between people with PD and people with FSCD, but people with FSCD reported higher levels of loneliness than HCs (p = 0.018). Perceived stigma predicted loneliness in both disease groups (p < 0.001). Additionally, non-motor symptoms (p = 0.006), lack of optimism (p = 0.015) and practical social support (p = 0.006) predicted loneliness in people with PD. Patients with PD and FSCD with higher perceived stigma levels felt lonelier (p < 0.001), as did female patients with PD (p = 0.004), younger patients with FSCD (p = 0.007) and older patients with PD (p = 0.023).

We identified important predictors of loneliness in PD and FSCD. The identified age- and gender-specific differences in loneliness in people with PD and FSCD contribute to our better understanding of this complex and not yet fully understood concept.