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How parkinsonism influences life: the patients’ point of view

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Abstract

To explore the experience of living with parkinsonism, a survey form was sent to the members of a patients’ association; 1,256 forms were analysed. The mean age was 65.75 ± 9.29 years; 64.4% males. A family history was reported by 19.2%. Basic abilities were preserved in 75% of the responders; the ability to do indoor and outdoor activities was preserved in 42 and 28%, respectively. 70% of the responders liked to meet other people and about 50% liked discussing their condition. 80.3% of the responders lived with partner, while 7.8% did not live with family. Of the patients’ partners, 38.9% took drugs, and 9.4% themselves needed assistance. Care programmes for parkinsonians should take into account the disease duration, the degree of disability, the presence of caregiver/s, and the level of caregiver burden; but it should also be appreciated that social habits, need of help, and severity of symptoms influence disability.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the Italian Parkinson’s Disease Association (AIP) for distributing the survey forms together with copies of its journal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Neurorehabilitation and Movement Disorders, IRCCS “Salvatore Maugeri” Foundation, Scientific Institute of Tradate, 21049, Tradate (VA), Italy

    E. Martignoni

  2. Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Insubria, 21100, Varese, Italy

    E. Martignoni

  3. IRCCS “C. Mondino National Institute of Neurology Foundation”, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    Antonietta Citterio, R. Zangaglia, C. Pacchetti & G. Nappi

  4. Unit of Neurology, Novara Local Health Authority, 28100, Novara, Italy

    L. Godi

  5. Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, IRCCS “Salvatore Maugeri” Foundation, Scientific Institute of Montescano, 27040, Montescano (PV), Italy

    C. Fundarò

  6. Neurology Unit, Valduce Hospital, 22100, Como, Italy

    E. Corengia

  7. Neurological Clinic, University of Insubria, 21100, Varese, Italy

    G. Bono

  8. University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00100, Rome, Italy

    G. Nappi

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  1. E. Martignoni
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  2. Antonietta Citterio
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  3. R. Zangaglia
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  4. L. Godi
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  5. C. Pacchetti
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  6. C. Fundarò
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  7. E. Corengia
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  8. G. Bono
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  9. G. Nappi
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Correspondence to Antonietta Citterio.

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Martignoni, E., Citterio, A., Zangaglia, R. et al. How parkinsonism influences life: the patients’ point of view. Neurol Sci 32, 125–131 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-010-0435-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-010-0435-x

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