Data defense F. Nightingale

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) significantly impacts motor and non-motor functions, affecting patients' quality of life (QoL). This article explores how pet ownership influences QoL among urban PD patients, an area with limited research. Objective: Our article investigates differences in QoL among PD patients who own dogs, cats, or no pets, with a focus on understanding potential mediating factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 120 urban PD patients divided into three groups: dog owners (n=40), cat owners (n=40), and non-pet owners (n=40). QoL was assessed using the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39). Secondary variables, including daily step count, resting heart rate (RHR), and social interactions, were analyzed to disentangle reasons for group differences. Results: Our article shows that dog owners reported the highest QoL scores (mean PDQ-39 = 43.2 ± 5.1), significantly better than both cat owners (mean = 49.8 ± 6.4, p < 0.01) and non-pet owners (mean = 54.6 ± 7.3, p < 0.001). Cat ownership provided moderate QoL benefits compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Dog owners had higher daily step counts (mean = 7,823 ± 1,204 steps/day) and lower RHR (mean = 68.4 ± 5.3 bpm), suggesting physical activity as a key factor. This article highlights that dog owners also reported more frequent outdoor activities and social engagement, both positively correlated with QoL (r = 0.47, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our article shows that dog ownership significantly enhances QoL in urban PD patients, likely due to increased physical activity and social interactions. Cat ownership provides limited benefits, while non-pet owners experience lower QoL. Further research should evaluate interventions that replicate the benefits observed in dog ownership. All data is available on reasonable request.