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Parkinsonian Syndromes - Diagnosis
In one series of patients with Parkinsonism, presenting over a 10 year period, the mean
time to a diagnosis from onset of symptoms was 1.6 years (range 0-7 years). However,
in 36% of cases this diagnosis was subsequently reversed after a mean of 3.4 years.[2]
These difficulties in diagnosis have been confirmed in a second study which noted on
average after 3 years symptom duration, up to 39% of patients in specialised clinics still
fail to fit the diagnostic criteria for either Parkinson's disease or essential tremor.[3]
However, an accurate identification of Parkinsonism involving presynaptic degeneration is important for patient management, because the disease course, therapy and prognosis differ substantially from nondegenerative disease.[1] And, if Parkinson's disease patients are left untreated for 9-12 months after initial diagnosis, their quality of life starts to deteriorate.[4]
1. Catafau A and Tolosa E. Mov Disord 2004; 19: 1175-82
2. Hughes AJ et al. Brain 2002; 125: 861-70
3. Benamer HTS et al. Mov Disord 2003; 18: 977-84
4. Grosset D et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2007; 78: 465-9
5. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; Clinical Guideline 35: Parkinson's disease:
Diagnosis and management in primary and secondary care, June 2006
6. Benamer HTS et al. Mov Disord 2000; 3: 503-10
7. GE Healthcare DaTSCAN SmPC 2007
2. Hughes AJ et al. Brain 2002; 125: 861-70
3. Benamer HTS et al. Mov Disord 2003; 18: 977-84
4. Grosset D et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2007; 78: 465-9
5. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; Clinical Guideline 35: Parkinson's disease:
Diagnosis and management in primary and secondary care, June 2006
6. Benamer HTS et al. Mov Disord 2000; 3: 503-10
7. GE Healthcare DaTSCAN SmPC 2007
