title: Measuring symptom load in Idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
abstract: This study evaluated the symptom burden experienced by patients with Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (IPD) by using a standard palliative care assessment tool (PACA) and comparing it with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). These tools together with the Mini-Mental State Examination, Beck Depression Inventory and the Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life were used in 123 IPD patients. The PACA demonstrated broad coverage of both motor and non motor symptoms (mean=14.3 symptoms per patient) whereas the UPDRS predominantly assessed motor symptoms. Implications for symptom assessment and palliative care provision in IPD are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, North Tyneside General Hospital, Rake Lane, North Shields, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE29 8NH, UK.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Prentice
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hildreth
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile