[Drug treatment is beneficial also for elderly patients with Parkinson disease. Important to consider also other co-existing diseases].
Parkinson's disease is a relatively common disorder in elderly patients. With carefully performed treatment a considerable improvement can be seen also in patients of high age. L-dopa as well as other antiparkinsonian drugs should be used in lower doses than those subscribed for younger patients. Cognitive decline implies a certain risk for mental confusion, in which case the dose of the causing agent has to be lowered or the treatment interrupted.
Granérus
A K
AK
Avdelningen för geriatrik, institutionen för nervsystem och rörelseorgan, Hälsouniversitetet, Linköping. anngr@ger.liu.se
D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003221:Confusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine