PARKINSON'S DISEASE NEWS

12th March 2010 - New research

THE RATE OF PROGRESSION OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Movement Disorders [2010] Mar 8. [Epub ahead of print] (Zhao YJ, Wee HL, Chan YH, Seah SH, Au WL, Lau PN, Pica EC, Li SC, Luo N, Tan LC.)  Complete abstract
                                                                                                                                                                                
This study was carried out to evaluate the rate of progression in Parkinson's Disease. What was analysed was the time taken to progress from one stage of the Hoehn and Yahr scale to the next. The Hoen and Yahr characterises patients according to a scale of five stages of severity, from Stage 1, which is mild, to Stage 5, which is incapacitated. For the questionnaire go to the Hoehn and Yahr scale.

The average time taken to progress from Stage 1 (mild) to Stage 2 (mild but various symptoms) was 1 year 8 months.  The average time taken to progress from Stage 2 to Stage 3 (typical) was 7 years and 3 months.  From Stage 3 to Stage 4 (severe) took 2 years. From Stage 4 to Stage 5 (incapacitated) took 2 years and 2 months. So the stage with typical symptoms lasts the longest. Those factors associated with faster progression were older age at diagnosis, and longer disease duration. Gender and ethnicity were not associated with the rate of Parkinson's Disease progression.

These figures are only averages. Progression is not inevitable. Some people with Parkinson's Disease have either : stayed the same for decades, reduced their symptoms, rid their symptoms, or worsened at a rapid rate.  For more current news go to Parkinson's Disease News.        

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Parkinson's Disease News details all significant new research, news reports, new books, and new resources concerning Parkinson's Disease and those medical disorders that often coincide with Parkinson's Disease. It is compiled from an analysis of  all newly published research, news reports, new clinical trials, all newly published books, and new web sites. A summary and analysis of the new research are provided,  as well as links to the complete abstracts and news reports.