Understanding disability in Parkinson's disease.
Even with optimal therapy, it is inevitable that the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) progress and gradually result in disability in the performance of daily activities. Delay and prevention of disability is among the highest priorities in the clinical management of PD. Understanding the association between the diverse symptoms of PD and the emerging disability is fundamental to minimizing functional limitations. This article differentiates disability from impairment and quality of life and explores the relationship between the specific impairments of PD and resulting disability. Identifying appropriate tools for outcomes measurement and impediments to accurate assessment of disability are also reviewed.
Shulman
Lisa M
LM
Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21210, USA. lshulman@som.umaryland.edu
D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index