Parkinson's disease symptoms--patients' perceptions

Self-assessment is significant for the accurate evaluation of patient' needs. This study examined the frequency and severity of symptoms reported by 39 patients with Parkinson's disease and compared them with symptoms suggested by the literature and by specialists as bothering Parkinson's patients. Four categories of symptoms were examined: (a) motor disability or activity loss, (b) mental change, (c) psychosocial difficulties, and (d) nonspecific symptoms. The findings show that there was correspondence between expert judgements and subjects' reports regarding symptoms such as dyskinesia/tremor as well as walking, freezing gait, and changing position. Symptoms such as dressing self, getting in/out of bed, morning stiffness and deficit in cognitive sequencing, which experts described as characteristic of Parkinson's disease patients, bothered subjects less. In general, patients mental and psychosocial symptoms were higher in their frequencies and perceived severity than problems of performing activities of daily living.