This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Friedman, J. H. Articles by Trieschmann, M. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Friedman, J. H. Articles by Trieschmann, M. M. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Parkinsonism in a Nursing Home: Underrecognition

Division of Neurology, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, 111 Brewster St., Pawtucket, RI 02860 joseph_friedman{at}mhri.org

Hubert H. Fernandez, MD

Martha M. Trieschmann, MD

Parkinsonism is a very common condition in the elderly, particularly the elderly demented. The authors’ experience in both the in-and outpatient settings suggested that parkinsonism was generally underdiagnosed in the elderly. They evaluated the residents at a local nursing home to assess for parkinsonian signs. They then compared the findings to those noted in the charts. Blinded assessment of all nursing home residents for signs of parkinsonism was performed. A standardized evaluation instrument was used, followed by a chart review to determine if patients were taking medications that might induce the parkinsonism and whether the parkinsonism had been recognized. The authors looked separately at those patients receiving antipsychotics because of their increased risk. Twenty-seven out of 100 residents had "probable" parkinsonism, 12 of whom were severe, and 33 had "possible" parkinsonism. Of 27 residents on antipsychotics, 23 showed parkinsonian features versus 43 of 73 not on such drugs (P< .02). Only 1 patient with drug-induced parkinsonism and 3 residents with previously diagnosed Parkinson’s disease had chart notes indicating that parkinsonism had been recognized.

Key Words: parkinsonism • recognition of parkinsonism • parkinsonism in nursing homes • secondary parkinsonism

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. H. Friedman Atypical antipsychotics have very different adverse effect profiles and should not be lumped together. Arch Intern Med, March 13, 2006; 166(5): 586 - 586. [Full Text] [PDF]