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In teaching about Parkinsons Disease I use the following classification.  I
do not know whether it is current.  This is as it appears in my lecture
notes.  I do not know the source...but I did not originate this
classification.
C. Stages (5 Stages)
                1.First stage
                        a. Signs and symptoms on one side only
                        b. symptoms mild
                        c. symptoms inconvenient but not disabling
                        d. usually presents with tremor of one limb
                        e. Friends have noticed changes in posture,locomotion and facial expression
                2.Second stage
                        a. Symptoms are bilateral
                        b. minimal disability
                        c. Posture and gait effected
                3. Third stage
                        a. Significant slowing of body movements
                        b. Early impairment of equilibrium on walking or standing
                        c. Generalized dysfunction that is moderately severe
                4. Fourth stage
                        a. Severe symptoms
                        b. Can still walk to a limited extent
                        c. Rigidity and bradykinesia
                        d. No longer able to live alone
                        e. Tremor may be less than earlier stages
                5. Fifth stage
                        a. Cachectic stage
                        b. invalidism complete
                        c. cannot stand or walk
                        d. Requires constant nursing care
 
I hope this is of assistance to someone.
 
Zalmon Pober, Ph.D.
Mass College of Pharmacy
Springfield, MA
 
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