Patient perception of dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the perception of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) regarding dyskinesia.


METHODS
Multicentre survey.


METHODS
Tertiary referral centres.


METHODS
Patients with PD participated in a survey: those not on dopaminergic medications (group I), those on dopaminergic medications without dyskinesia (group II) and those on dopaminergic medications with dyskinesia (group III).


METHODS
After a short standardised description and explanation of dyskinesia was provided, patients were asked about the nature and source of prior knowledge of dyskinesia. They were then asked about their perceptions of dyskinesia. Patients in group III were also asked about the duration, the severity of dyskinesia and whether their perception of this problem had changed since its appearance.


METHODS
Level of concern regarding dyskinesia and whether their perception of dyskinesia would have changed their preference of treatment. Results 259 PD patients completed the survey (group I, 52; group II, 102; group III, 105). Patients with dyskinesia were significantly less concerned about dyskinesia than patients without dyskinesia and were more likely to choose dyskinesia over being parkinsonian. Patients who required fewer changes in medications because of dyskinesia were more likely to choose dyskinesia over parkinsonism.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with PD experiencing dyskinesia are less likely to be concerned about dyskinesia and more likely to prefer dyskinesia over parkinsonian symptoms than patients without dyskinesia.
Hung
S W
SW
Movement Disorders Centre, Toronto Western Hospital and Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Adeli
G M
GM
Arenovich
T
T
Fox
S H
SH
Lang
A E
AE
D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception
D007980:Levodopa