A census of movement disorders at a Thai university hospital.
There is little information available on the number of patients with movement disorders seen by physicians in Thailand. The authors reviewed the medical records of all movement disorders patients seen at the Chulalongkorn Comprehensive Movement Disorders Center (CUMDS) in Bangkok, Thailand over a 4.5-year period to determine the number of patients with movement disorders and disease characteristics. A total of 1993 patients were assessed at CUMDS. Most of these patients had a diagnosis of parkinsonism (72%), including Parkinson's disease (PD) (60.9%), followed by tremor (9.6%), and dystonia (8.4%). The diagnostic accuracy of PD according to United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank clinical diagnostic criteria was 90.3%. The average referral period waiting for the consultation was more than 2 years. In spite of the limited availability of medical resources in Thailand, patients with movement disorders tend to seek specialist care and most often it is indicated. This finding documents the need for awareness of PD and other movement disorders by health professionals in Thailand, including the need for specialized training in movement disorders for physicians, including neurologists.
Chulalongkorn Comprehensive Movement Disorders Center, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. rbh1@ucla.edu
Roongroj
R
Bhidayasiri
Karn
K
Saksornchai
Lalita
L
Kaewwilai
Kammant
K
Phanthumchinda
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D004421:Dystonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009462:Neurology / Q000193:education; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014202:Tremor / Q000453:epidemiology; D014850:Waiting Lists; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult