Prevalence of GID in PD patients has impact on clinical and societal outcomes: Study

New data from a retrospective cohort study showed that up to three quarters of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) developed gastrointestinal disorders (GID) that can have a substantial adverse effect on major PD-related clinical and health economic outcomes. These data were presented at the 14th International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders in Buenos Aires, Argentina (June 13-17, 2010).

"The new retrospective cohort study suggested that the prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders among patients with Parkinson's disease was high, increased over time and had a significant impact on clinical and societal outcomes," said Dr. Florent Richy, Head of Epidemiology, UCB & Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology, University of Liege, Belgium. "Gastrointestinal disorders can impair the onset of symptom relief by Parkinson's disease drugs and these data help us to better understand the prevalence and consequences of such disorders amongst patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease."

The study found that gastrointestinal disorders in PD patients were associated with significantly higher rates of neuropsychiatric and motor disorders, as well as increased emergency room admissions, number of concurrent drugs and non-PD healthcare costs.