Prognosis with Parkinson's disease in Europe: A collaborative study of population-based cohorts

Data are lacking on the prognosis (institutionalization and death) of PD ca ses identified in population-based studies. Data from five population-based European studies were compared and pooled, Each study used comparable two- step screening methods to identify cases and performed one or more follow-u p examinations of their respective participants after defined periods of ti me. PD was classified on the basis of questionnaire and clinical data, The studies include 16,143 participants (252 with PD), The relative risk (RR) ( 95% CI) of death associated with PD was 2.3 (1.8 to 3.0). The risk for deat h in men with PD (RR 3.1 [2.1 to 4.4]) was higher than in women with PD (RR 1.8 [1.2 to 5.1]), The rate of institutionalization varied across studies, increased with age, and was considerably higher in PD cases compared to no ncases. Women with PD had a fivefold higher risk to live in a care facility than did men with PD. These data on mortality and rate of institutionaliza tion reflect the high burden of PD in the population.