Survey of disability that is associated with Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease is a relatively-common and disabling neurological condition. The aim of this study was to gather clinical and sociodemographic data on a sample of patients with Parkinson's disease in Tasmania, and to determine the impact of the disease on the patients. Sixty patients were studied. The median age of the sample was 71 years, and the median duration of Parkinson's disease was six years. About two-thirds of the patients experienced difficulty with simple everyday activities, such as dressing and getting out of a chair. Disability was related significantly to the duration of the disease. The number of antiparkinsonian drugs that were prescribed increased in proportion with the duration of the disease and the disability of the patient. Parkinson's disease was responsible apparently for 40% of the patients retiring from employment early; 32% of patients who had been drivers had lost their driver's licence because of the disease. Although the condition affects motor function progressively, few patients received physiotherapy as part of their management.