Deterioration of Parkinson's Disease During Hospitalization
Deterioration of Parkinson's Disease During Hospitalization
Parkinson's disease (PD) patients are admitted to hospitals more frequently and longer than the general population. Up to a quarter of the total PD patients are hospitalized each year. There is general consensus that a substantial fraction of these hospitalized PD patients do deteriorate, but the precise proportion and the reasons why have not been studied systematically and the focus has been on surgical wards and on Accident & Emergency departments. We found that, although many PD patients seem to deteriorate during hospitalization and there is concern about the quality of care provided to these patients, most hospitals do not have proper guidelines yet to prevent worsening of PD symptoms and complications during hospitalization. Before such guidelines can be formulated, a better understanding of the problems encountered during hospitalization of this group of patients is warranted. Our aim in this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of deterioration in hospitalized PD patients including all wards.
Background
Parkinson's disease (PD) patients are admitted to hospitals more frequently and longer than the general population. Up to a quarter of the total PD patients are hospitalized each year. There is general consensus that a substantial fraction of these hospitalized PD patients do deteriorate, but the precise proportion and the reasons why have not been studied systematically and the focus has been on surgical wards and on Accident & Emergency departments. We found that, although many PD patients seem to deteriorate during hospitalization and there is concern about the quality of care provided to these patients, most hospitals do not have proper guidelines yet to prevent worsening of PD symptoms and complications during hospitalization. Before such guidelines can be formulated, a better understanding of the problems encountered during hospitalization of this group of patients is warranted. Our aim in this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of deterioration in hospitalized PD patients including all wards.
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