Measurement of quality of life in neurodegenerative disorders

The importance of recognizing and documenting the subjective impact of disease and the side effects of long-term medical therapy in illnesses such as Parkinson's disease is beginning to be fully appreciated. This appreciation follows the recognition that it is necessary to describe the overall results of diagnostic and treatment efforts in a way that makes sense to both patients and health professionals. A recent transformation of thought and practice has occurred, where inclusion of concepts commonly subsumed under the term quality of life or health-related quality of life are considered for incorporation into clinical trials and clinical practice. Recent editorials illustrate this shift in emphasis [1].