Parkinson's Disease Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Parkinson's Disease, including details on symptoms, treatment, genetics, medication.

Predicting the cost of Parkinson's disease.

McCrone P, Allcock LM, Burn DJ

King's College London, Centre for the Economics of Mental Health, Health Services Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom. p.mccrone@iop.kcl.ac.uk

The degenerative nature of Parkinson's disease (PD) suggests that it will lead to high levels of resource use. This study measures service use and costs for a representative community sample of PD patients and identifies cost predictors. Patients were identified from general practices and were interviewed twice, separated by a 12-month interval. Demographic and clinical data on patients were collected and 6-month costs were calculated. Regression analysis was used to identify significant baseline predictors of follow-up costs. The annual service costs (baseline and follow-up combined) were 13,804 pounds per person. Formal service costs accounted for 20% of this figure with informal care from families/friends accounting for 80%. The regression model explained 42% of total follow-up costs and significant predictors included gender (with men having higher costs), disability, and depression.

Published 1 May 2007 in Mov Disord, 22(6): 804-12.
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