The prodromal phase of Parkinson's Disease; Symptoms, duration, health care resource use and costs over a 5-year period prior to the diagnosis is made.

De vroege beginfase van de ziekte van Parkinson; Symptomen, duur, zorgconsumptie en gezondheidszorgkosten in de 5 jaar voorafgaande aan het stellen van de diagnose.

The preclinical phase of idiopathic Parkinson's Disease can be accompanied by different aspecific symptoms and signs. Therefore the delay before diagnosis is made can last months to years. It is expected that the total economic burden of this preclinical phase is high; however, the exact costs are not known. This retrospective study will investigate the symptoms, duration, health care resource use, costs and cost-predicting factors in the 5-year period prior to the diagnosis idiopathic Parkinson's Disease is made. The aim of this study is to increase knowledge about the impact of the preclinical phase. Further more, health practitioners might be able to make an earlier diagnosis and start the correct therapy as soon as possible.



Countries of recruitement: The Netherlands.

Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The preclinical phase of the disease is accompanied by different motor and non-motor symptoms and signs. These symptoms can occur even 5-8 years before classical motor symptoms develop and are sometimes very aspecific. Therefore the delay before diagnosis can last months to years. It is expected that this prodromal phase is associated with significant health care resource burden and costs due to outpatient care, inpatient care, drugs, diagnostic investigations and professional home care. Also production loss due to long-term sick-leave and early retirement and informal care give significant burden on families and society. It is expected that the total economic burden of this preclinical phase is high; however, the exact costs are not known. This retrospective study will investigate the symptoms, duration, health care resource use and costs of the preclinical phase in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease over a 5-year period prior to the diagnosis is made. These economic burden shall be compared with age matched control subjects. The aim of this study is to increase knowledge about the impact of this preclinical phase. Further more, health practitioners might be able to make an earlier diagnosis and start the correct therapy as soon as possible.

The information is obtained over a 5-year period prior to the year the diagnosis idiopathic Parkinson's Disease is made.

None.