Term: Parkinson's Disease (PD)

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Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2023-12-01

Definition:

A type of movement and nervous system disorder. PD occurs due to insufficient production of the neurochemical dopamine by brain cells. Genetics and environmental chemical exposure may play a role.

Symptoms begin gradually (affecting one side of the body first and progressing to both sides later) and usually at around age 60, though earlier is possible. Symptoms include trembling (in the hands, arms, legs, jaw, face), stiffness in arms/legs and torso, slow movement and poor balance and coordination. This can create difficulties in walking, sleeping, chewing or swallowing, or speaking.

PD is diagnosed with a medical history and neurological exam (no lab test exists). There is no cure, but various medications may improve symptoms significantly. Surgery and deep brain stimulation (DBS, involving electrodes surgically implanted in the brain) may be used in severe cases.

See MedlinePlus® - Health Topics - Parkinson's Disease for more clinical information.

In Lix et al. (2010) , they identified Parkinson's disease cases from Hospital Abstracts data and Medical Services/ Medical Claims data using the following International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes:

• ICD-9-CM code: 332
  
• ICD-10-CA code: G20

Additionally, individuals had to be over 25 years of age to be included in the case definition.

Term used in 

• Hobson DE, Lix LM, Azimaee M, Leslie WD, Burchill C, Hobson S. Healthcare utilization in patients with Parkinson's disease: A population-based analysis. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders 2012;18(8):930-935. [Abstract] (View)
• Lix LM. Estimating completeness of administrative health databases for ascertaining chronic disease cases: A numeric example with Parkinson's disease. Presented at: Canadian Association of Health Services and Policy Research Conference; May 12-15, 2014; Toronto, ON(View)
• Lix LM, Hobson DE, Azimaee M, Leslie WD, Burchill C, Hobson S. Socioeconomic variations in the prevalence and incidence of Parkinson's Disease: A population-based analysis. J Epidemiol Community Health 2010;64(4):335-340. [Abstract] (View)