This awareness campaign, led by the European Parkinson’s
Disease Association (EPDA), will help raise awareness of the impact that
Parkinson’s has on daily life and improve the understanding and knowledge
relevant for all stages of the disease.
“Life with Parkinson’s”
The booklet “Life with Parkinson’s” contains very
open and personal stories told by people living with Parkinson’s in various
countries, and reflections concerning the challenges that the disease poses in
everyday life. Facts linked to the
stories explain the different symptoms and how they affect people with Parkinson’s
and their families. To reinforce the
difficulties that they face daily, two short films have been produced.
Facts
Three people with Parkinson’s describe exactly what
it is like for them and how, with medical treatment, they are able to live a
relatively normal life. Health economic
data linked to their medical cases are also included, together with statistical
data that provides a picture of the prevalence of Parkinson’s in Europe, broken
down into countries and age groups. Literature
references make it possible for further information on Parkinson’s to be
reviewed, with neurologist Professor Per Odin from Bremerhaven in Germany
outlining four different examples of advanced treatment of the disease. Finally, brief answers to some of the most
frequently asked questions relating to Parkinson’s are given.
Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological
disorder that is considered to be one of the most common neurological conditions. It is caused by the destruction of nerve
cells in the brain that produce the neurotransmitter, dopamine. A similar destruction occurs naturally with
ageing, but in Parkinson’s the process is much faster. In Parkinson’s, certain
specific nerve cells are lost leading to the typical major symptoms of tremor,
stiffness of muscles and slowness of movement.
Every case of Parkinson’s is different and not everyone experiences the
same symptoms. For example, not all
people develop tremor and, for some, rigidity is the major symptom. With modern
medication, symptoms can be well controlled.
Prevalence
It is estimated that 6.3 million people have
Parkinson’s worldwide, affecting all races and cultures. The age of onset is usually over 60, but it
is estimated that one in ten are diagnosed before the age of 50, with slightly
more men than women affected. Anyone can
get Parkinson’s, but it is more common in older people. It is not contagious and cannot be spread
from one person to another.
According
to available statistics, 1.2 million people in Europe have Parkinson’s:
approximately 260,000 in Germany; 200,000 in Italy; 150,000 in Spain; 120,000
in UK and 117,000 in France.
Treatment
Whilst treatment is constantly improving, researchers
have not yet been able to find a way to prevent or cure Parkinson’s. But the symptoms can be effectively
controlled, often using a combination of medication, conventional therapies
(such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy) complimentary
therapies (such as yoga and Tai Chi) and surgical treatments, such as deep
brain stimulation (DBS).
There are several medications used to treat Parkinson’s
and availability varies from country to country. The most common are: levodopa, dopamine
agonists, catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors and monamine oxidase
B (MAO-B) inhibitors. There is no single
optimal treatment because the condition affects each individual differently.
Progression
is usually very gradual. With symptoms
and responses to treatment being different for each individual, it is not
possible to accurately predict progression.
In the beginning, doctors offer oral drug medication; as the disease progresses
other treatments become necessary
DIAGNOSIS ANd TREATMENT OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Neurologist professor F. Stocchi describes the
importance of early diagnosis and the early initiation of effective treatment
to give people the best chance of controlling their symptoms and slowing the progression
of the disease.
Indications and contraindications for advanced
Parkinson’s disease THERAPIES
Neurologist professor P. Odin describes indications
(sound reasons to use specific medication, procedures, tests or surgery) and
contraindications (factors that increase the risks involved in carrying out
medical procedures or using particular medication) for advanced Parkinson’s
therapies. In summary, he states that
each case is unique and reaching the decision to proceed with advanced
Parkinson’s therapy demands a high level of expertise in the treatment of Parkinson’s.
“On-off"
The “on-off” phenomenon is a characteristic that
some people with long-standing Parkinson’s present. It can best be described as an unpredictable
shift from mobility - “on” - to a sudden inability to move - “off” - with “off”
to “on” occurring suddenly.
Three patients
Mr Wilhelm Walter (b.1957) noticed the first signs
of Parkinson’s when he was 42. Following
various treatments, DBS was performed.
The operation took place without complications and Mr Walter has been
able to resume full-time working.
Mrs Kristina Mueller (b.1947) developed her first
Parkinson’s motor symptom when she was 48.
Following some complications, apomorphine treatment was changed to
levodopa/carbidopa intraduodenal infusion.
The results were much better with no side effects or complications. After three and a half years, Mrs Mueller has
been able to continue working full-time.
Mr Andrew Brown (b.1952) developed the first signs
of Parkinson’s when he was 45. Thanks to
his treatment he has been able to return to working full-time.
Linked
to the three patient case histories is health economic data demonstrating the
costs involved and the benefits to society when Parkinson’s is treated correctly
References
Over 50 references are included to enable easier
access to validated information about Parkinson’s. Different aspects, treatments, side effects
and comorbidities are listed as subheadings
Questions and answers
What is Parkinson’s disease? Can the disease be prevented? What are the symptoms? What treatments are available? How can I find more information about the
disease?
More
than 20 of the most frequently asked questions have been compiled – and answered
- to make it easier to learn more about the disease
