Parkinson’s often missed by GPS, new study shows
● Many confused by complex condition with over 40 symptoms
More than a quarter of people with Parkinson’s disease were initially misdiagnosed, new research has found.
The poll of more than 2,000 people across the UK found 26 per cent were first told they had something else, while 21 per cent saw their GP three or more times before being referred to a specialist.
Of those who were misdiagnosed, 48 per cent were given treatment for their non-existent condition, with 36 per cent receiving medication. 6 per cent underwent operations or procedures and a further 6 per cent were given both medication and operations. Of the people receiving unnecessary treatment, more than a third said their health had got worse as a result.
The poll run for Parkinson’s UK also found women were more likely to be misdiagnosed than men, and errors were most common in people aged 51 to 60.
Annie Macleod, Director of Parkinson’s UK Scotland, said: “Parkinson’s is an incredibly complex condition with more than 40 symptoms, and it affects everyone differently. Although there are around 12,500 people with Parkinson’s in Scotland, a typical GP will only see a new case once every three years. That means that they may not know much about Parkinson’s and may not refer people to a specialist quickly enough.
“One of the biggest challenges for Parkinson’s research is that there is no definitive test for Parkinson’s, so people really need to see an experienced consultant who specialises in Parkinson’s to be diagnosed correctly. We’ve heard countless stories of people being misdiagnosed with anything from a frozen shoulder or anxiety to a stroke. People tell us that they have been left in limbo while their health deteriorates, which is unacceptable”
Around 145,000 people in the
UK are diagnosed with Parkinson’s every year. Scottish comedian Billy Connolly has helped raise understanding of Parkinson’s since being diagnosed with the disease in 2013.
Katy Dickinson was diagnosed with the disease in May last year at the age of 27, but had suffered symptoms for years.
She said: “I’ve always had a tremor, but about four years ago it got worse. I also noticed that my left foot was dragging and my voice started to be affected. I went to the doctors, but no-one could understand what was wrong with me.
“It took four years of appointments and being told that I was ‘doing it to myself ’ before I got my diagnosis. It was a relief to finally be believed after years of being made to feel it was all in my head.”