Parkinson disease and its differentials. Diagnoses made easy.

BACKGROUND

Parkinson disease is a common neurological disorder that is both underdiagnosed and inaccurately diagnosed. There is no reliable biological marker or test that can differentiate between causes of parkinsonism. Even for experienced clinicians, the clinical diagnostic accuracy compared to post mortem findings is about 80%.

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the clinical features that differentiate Parkinson disease from other important causes of parkinsonism.

DISCUSSION: Although Parkinson disease is a common cause of parkinsonism, other candidates such as drug reactions, benign essential tremor, vascular disease and Lewy body dementia need to be differentiated. Incorrect diagnosis can result in complications related particularly to the use of levodopa and antipsychotic agents. Diagnostic accuracy is important to ensure appropriate management, to avoid complications and to assist patients to have realistic expectations and prognostic information about their condition.