Over a quarter of people living with Parkinson’s were initially misdiagnosed, study finds

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Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 2 January 2020

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More than a quarter of people living with Parkinson’s were initially misdiagnosed, according to new research from charity Parkinson’s UK.

As part of the study, 2,000 people with Parkinson’s were asked a series of questions about their diagnosis. According to results, 26% of the participants were originally told they did not have Parkinson’s – with almost half of them being treated for a different condition.

The poll also found that women were more likely to be misdiagnosed than men.

Katie Goates, professional engagement manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “One of the biggest challenges for Parkinson’s research is that there is no definitive test for Parkinson’s, and as a result we’ve heard of people being misdiagnosed with anything from a frozen shoulder or anxiety to a stroke.

“Our survey has shown that because of this people are being left in limbo and seeing their health deteriorate, which is unacceptable.”

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Over a quarter of people living with Parkinson’s were initially misdiagnosed, study finds

News

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 2 January 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Globetrotting with Parkinson’s: ‘a wonderful world waiting to be explored’

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Learn coping tricks and strategies for carers at Parkinson’s summit

Special reports

Reimagining Parkinson’s healthcare: a patient-focused plan

Can tremor predict the effect of Parkinson’s disease medication?

Could a ‘Mediterranean diet’ lower the risk of Parkinson’s for women?

Pesticide that increases Parkinson’s risk by 150% reapproved in the US

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Over a quarter of people living with Parkinson’s were initially misdiagnosed, study finds

News

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 2 January 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Share this story

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Related articles

Interviews

Globetrotting with Parkinson’s: ‘a wonderful world waiting to be explored’

Carers' Corner

Learn coping tricks and strategies for carers at Parkinson’s summit

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Reimagining Parkinson’s healthcare: a patient-focused plan

Can tremor predict the effect of Parkinson’s disease medication?

Could a ‘Mediterranean diet’ lower the risk of Parkinson’s for women?

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