Drug Treatment of Parkinson's Disease: Self-Assessment of Patients in a Cross-Sectional Survey

In Germany, data on the current treatment situation of patients with Parkinsons disease are lacking. Therefore, a cross-sectional survey of 4485 patients and neurologists treating them was performed. Patients were questioned on disease progression, treatment history, current treatment, and satisfaction with treatment. The time between diagnosis and initial prescription of drugs to treat the disease varied between 3 months and 2 years. Patient assessment of their disease stage was also varied considerably. Improvement was reported in motor symptoms (51.3%), in non-motor symptoms (6.5%), in perception (23.4%), quality-of-life (57.0%) and reduction in medication-associated impairment (21.5%). With regard to the current therapy, 41.8% felt disturbed by frequency of administration, 3.2% by the type of application, 12.3% by multiple medication, 27.7% due to insufficient efficacy and 41.29% by side effects (multiple answers possible). Overall, only 27.5% of patients rated their current Parkinson's disease therapy as good or very good, but most of them reported therapy as being satisfactory or even unsatisfactory. This statement was in marked contrast to the much more positive global assessment made by physicians treating these patients. Patients report deficits in medical care with drugs. There is a clear need for action in relation to providing information to patients (explanation of side effects or differentiation of symptoms) and for a change of medication regimens to other compounds or combinations.