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Sunday, 1 April, 2001, 23:25 GMT 00:25 UK BBC NEWS OnLine Parkinson's sufferers 'failed by GPs' Parkinson's causes shaking and muscle stiffness Parkinson's patients are not getting the right treatment from their GPs says a campaigning charity. The Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS) claims more than half of the UK's GPs are not giving the correct treatment for newly-diagnosed sufferers. It says a survey of 400 GPs across the UK showed that over 50% were prescribing drug treatments contrary to best practice guidelines. These guidelines recommend that GPs should refer all new patients with suspected Parkinson's for specialist confirmation of diagnosis and a drug therapy regime. But Mary Baker, chief executive of the PDS, said many GPs were failing to refer and this was having a detrimental effect on the patients they were actually trying to help. "Unfortunately in their eagerness to help patients, many GPs may not realise that by initiating treatment instead of referring all patients with suspected Parkinson's disease they could actually be doing more harm than good in the longer term." Age bias The survey also revealed an age bias - 94% of GPs said they would always refer patients aged under 50. Just over half said they would refer patients aged 71 or over, but only 11% said they would refer patients aged over 81. Ms Baker said she was very worried by this: "Such age discrimination is disconcerting, particularly considering our ageing population, and has no place in the management of a condition which predominantly affects elderly people." The concerns of the PDS are backed by Dr Douglas MacMahon, a member of the primary care task force, which set up the original guidelines. He said: "The research shows that 95% of GPs who initiate treatment for new patients prescribe the drug levodopa. "While initially very effective in controlling symptoms, after only five years of treatment with levodopa, disabling side-effects will occur in at least 50% of patients." "Due to long term complications associated with levodopa, its use should be delayed for as long as possible and other treatments, such as dopamine agonists, should be initiated in early onset Parkinson's disease." Dr Stephen Henry, another member of the task force, agreed specialist referral was the best way of patients getting the most appropriate treatment. "A typical GP is likely to have about four patients on his list with the disease, so it is very difficult to keep abreast of the advances. " "Specialists on the other hand, or at least doctors with a specialist interest in Parkinson's disease are in a much better position to offer patients a wealth of knowledge of not only the disease but also the latest drug therapies." The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) said it would like to see more GPs getting better access to specialists in this field. Professor Chris Drinkwater, fellow of the RCGP, said: "It would be good to see named Parkinson's disease specialists, perhaps with the support of a specialist nurse, working with Primary Health Care Trusts, to ensure GPs within a region have a rapid and easy access to specialist advice and support and to education and training about Parkinson's Disease." http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1251000/1251730.stm ******* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn