LAHORE: An estimated six million people worldwide are suffering from Parkinson’s disease and each year around 50,000 people are diagnosed with PD globally, reveal leading neurologists in a statement to mark World Parkinson’s Awareness Week.

There is no definitive test to detect Parkinson’s disease or Parkinsonism -- a movement disorder in which a vital chemical in the brain called dopamine is gradually reduced. It progresses slowly and brings on symptoms of tremor, slowness in movement, stiff limbs and walking or balance problems. For diagnosis, doctors take a thorough medical history of patients and may request a number of tests.

Parkinson’s disease is also associated with many psychiatric problems such as anxiety, sleep disturbance, psychotic symptoms, but depression is the most common comorbid condition in Parkinson’s disease.

Dr Qasim Bashir, president of Pakistan Stroke Society and associate professor of neurology at CMH, Lahore, said: “The average age of diagnosis is around 60, but approximately 15 per cent of people with Parkinson’s are diagnosed before age 50 and are said to have young-onset Parkinson’s disease. A number of researchers have found that increased risk of developing disease is 1.5 to two-fold in males as compared to females,” he said.

Dr Bashir said many treatments can reduce the symptoms and improve quality of life. Patients needed to know that the disease would not be cured completely but disease progress can be slowed with medication.

While stressing on all the stakeholders for joint efforts Dr Amer Ikram, senior neurologist at Doctors Hospital, Lahore, said directing people towards getting an early diagnosis and treatment can improve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

“The cause of Parkinson’s is still unknown. Researchers think that both genes and environment may play a role. The disorder is due to a loss of nerve cells in an area deep within the brain called the substantia nigra. This area produces the chemical dopamine. Dopamine helps send signals within the brain. Without the right amount of dopamine, movement can be impaired. We should play our role in the community to spread awareness about Parkinson’s disease,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2018