Accuracy of diagnosis in patients with presumed Parkinson's disease
Open Access
- 1 March 1999
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Age and Ageing
- Vol. 28 (2) , 99-102
- https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/28.2.99
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: to study the diagnostic accuracy for parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease in a community-based sample of subjects on anti-parkinsonian medication. METHODS: computerized prescribing records in general practice were used to create a community-based disease register for Parkinson's disease. Subjects were examined to establish the likely diagnosis using recommended clinical diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: of 402 cases, parkinsonism was confirmed in 74% and clinically probable Parkinson's disease in 53%. The commonest causes of misdiagnosis were essential tremor, Alzheimer's disease and vascular pseudo-parkinsonism. Over one-quarter of subjects did not benefit from anti-parkinsonian medication. CONCLUSIONS: there is difficulty in diagnosing parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease in elderly subjects and we suggest early referral of those suspected of having parkinsonism for specialist assessment.Keywords
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