Knowledge of Parkinson's disease among patients and caregivers attending movement disorder clinic at a tertiary care centre in north India

CONTEXT: Few studies have been done to see the level of knowledge among patients and caregivers about Parkinson's disease (PD). AIMS: The aim of the current study was to determine the knowledge of PD among patients and caregivers at a movement disorder clinic in India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A tertiary care neurology facility in north India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire based interview among the subjects collected on the annual PD day in 2006. RESULTS: Out of 200 questionnaires that were distributed 172 subjects responded. Of these, there were 103 (59.8%) patients with PD and 69 (40.11%) caregivers. Mean age of the patients and caregivers was 55.4 ± 13.3 years and 49.4 ± 15.9 years respectively. Mean duration of PD was 6.8 ± 4.7 years (range-21). Ninety nine patients out of the 103 (96.1%) and 57 caregivers out of 69 (82.6%) had previously attended the PD education program. High scores (>90%) were obtained to questions on body parts affected, pathology in PD, main drug treatment, epidemiology and effect of exercise. Low scores were seen to questions on surgery in PD and biochemical abnormality in PD. No significant difference was noted in correct answers among patients and caregivers on duration of PD. CONCLUSION: Patients and caregivers had adequate knowledge about PD. Patient and caregiver education programs may be useful in imparting knowledge about PD.