PARKINSON'S DISEASE NEWS

7th October 2010 - New research

PREDICTORS OF MORTALITY IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Neurology [2010] 75 (14) : 1270-1276  (Forsaa EB, Larsen JP, Wentzel-Larsen T, Alves G.)  Complete abstract

Researchers have attempted to identify the risk factors of mortality in Parkinson's Disease. In order of likelihood the percentage increase in those factors most predictive of mortality were found to be : dementia 89%, male gender 63%, age 51%,  psychotic symptoms 45%, age of onset 40%, and movement disability 18%. Dementia is not actually a Parkinson's Disease symptom. However, it often eventually but not inevitably coincides with it. There was no significant impact of antipsychotic or Parkinson's Disease drugs on survival. The authors suggest that early prevention of movement disability and development of psychosis and dementia may be the most promising strategies to increasing life expectancy in Parkinson's Disease. Given that no one factor has a really profound effect, and as Parkinson's Disease in itself is not a fatal disorder, it appears that general health  more commonly determines life expectancy in Parkinson's Disease. For more current news go to Parkinson's Disease News.

E-MAIL NOTIFICATION : If you would like to be notified by e-mail when any new research, news reports, new books, or new resources are added to Parkinson's Disease News,  please merely e-mail [email protected] with the message "subscribe".  No form of identity is required.  E-mail addresses are not used for any other purpose.

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