What's the Life Expectancy for Parkinson's Disease?
Key takeaways
At age 65, patients with Parkinson's disease have a life expectancy reduced by 6.7 years compared to those without the disease, while at age 85, the difference in life expectancy is 1.2 years.
Severe clinical milestones that can impact survival include visual hallucinations, recurrent falls, dementia, and placement in a nursing home. Each milestone may double the risk of death during a 10-year period.
Males with Parkinson's disease may experience a greater reduction in life expectancy than females, and those diagnosed before age 70 typically see a larger decrease in life expectancy compared to later diagnoses.
If you or a loved one has received a diagnosis of Parkinson's, you may be wondering how the disease may progress over time.
Parkinson's disease is a slow, progressive disease. This means that symptoms gradually worsen over time.
While Parkinson's disease itself isn't fatal, related complications can reduce life expectancy.
The individual outlook can vary based on the severity of Parkinson's disease, a person's overall health, and the type of Parkinson's disease they have.
Research from 2020 suggests that at 65 years, the life expectancy of patients with Parkinson's was reduced by 6.7 years compared to that of people without Parkinson's disease. At 85, the difference in life expectancy was 1.2 years.
Keep reading to learn more about the disease course and outlook with Parkinson's disease and the factors that may inform a doctor's prediction about a person's outlook.
Factors that affect the outlook with Parkinson's disease
Symptoms and complications can affect the outlook of a person with Parkinson's disease.
Symptoms and severity
Research from 2022 suggests that the presence of certain severe clinical milestones may predict a person's disease course with Parkinson's disease and increase the risk of death. Each milestone may double the risk of death during a 10-year period. These milestones include:
visual hallucinations
recurrent falls
dementia
placement in a nursing home
Parkinson's and falls
Falls are a common secondary symptom of Parkinson's disease. The risk of falling increases in stages 3 and is greater in stages 4 and 5.
In these stages, you may not be able to stand or walk on your own.
You'll also be prone to broken bones and concussions, and severe falls can be dangerous. Complications from a serious fall can reduce your life expectancy.
Age
Age is another factor in the diagnosis and outlook for Parkinson's disease. Most people will receive a diagnosis after 70.
As you get older, you may be more prone to falls and more likely to develop certain diseases, even if you don't have Parkinson's disease. These risks can increase if you have Parkinson's.
Research from 2020 suggests that people who receive a diagnosis before age 70 usually experience a greater reduction in life expectancy:
In people at age 55: a 10.1-year reduction
In people at age 65: a 6.7-year reduction
In people at age 75: a 3.5-year reduction
In people at age 85: a 1.2-year reduction
Sex
Research suggests that males with Parkinson's may have a greater reduction in life expectancy than females.
Access to treatment
Life expectancy has increased significantly due to advances in treatment.
Medications and physical and occupational therapy are especially helpful in the earliest stages of Parkinson's. These treatments can improve your quality of life.
Type of disease
The type of parkinsonism can also impact a person's life expectancy, according to 2020 research.
People with atypical parkinsonism, including Lewy body dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, and multiple system atrophy, have increased mortality compared to people with typical Parkinson's disease and people without Parkinson's disease.
Long-term outlook
Early detection of Parkinson's disease is key to helping reduce complications that can negatively affect the outlook.
If you suspect that you or a loved one may have Parkinson's disease, consult a doctor right away.
Parkinson's symptoms and severity by stage
Doctors classify Parkinson's disease into stages 1 to 5, with stage 5 being the most advanced. Advanced stages may increase the risk of health complications that can reduce life span.
The symptoms of Parkinson's are gradual and are sometimes not noticeable in the early stages of the disease. They may include:
tremors
loss of balance
slowing of movements
spontaneous, uncontrollable movements
Symptoms in later stages of Parkinson's may include:
more frequent falls
trouble dressing
difficulty eating swallowing
severe stiffness in your legs, which makes it impossible to stand or walk
hallucinations or delusions
cognitive changes (problems with planning, language, attention, or memory)
dementia
lightheadedness
mood disorders
loss of sense of smell or taste
vision problems
sleep disorders
sexual problems
As Parkinson's progresses to stages 3, 4, and 5, the risk of falling may increase, and motor balance may worsen.
Pneumonia, particularly aspiration pneumonia, is the leading cause of death for people with Parkinson's, accounting for 70% of Parkinson's deaths.
Aspiration pneumonia happens when you inhale food, stomach acid, or saliva into the lungs. As Parkinson's progresses, swallowing can become more difficult, causing food and liquid to enter the lungs.
Treatment may help reduce symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it take so long for a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease?
There is no definitive medical test that can be performed to diagnose Parkinson's disease. It's essentially a clinical diagnosis, meaning a doctor will make the diagnosis based on several clinical features seen. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease include tremor, slowness of movement, stiffness, and balance problems.
However, the presentation and progression of these symptoms vary widely from person to person. The initial presentation is often subtle and may be similar to other conditions. Some people think their symptoms are due to normal aging, which may make them delay seeking medical attention.
Another common finding in patients with Parkinson's disease is 'masked facies,' or an expressionless face, which often gets mistaken for depression. If there's concern that someone is developing Parkinson's disease, they should get a clinical exam from a neurologist to get a diagnosis.
There is no definitive medical test that can be performed to diagnose Parkinson's disease. It's essentially a clinical diagnosis, meaning a doctor will make the diagnosis based on several clinical features seen. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease include tremor, slowness of movement, stiffness, and balance problems.
However, the presentation and progression of these symptoms vary widely from person to person. The initial presentation is often subtle and may be similar to other conditions. Some people think their symptoms are due to normal aging, which may make them delay seeking medical attention.
Another common finding in patients with Parkinson's disease is 'masked facies,' or an expressionless face, which often gets mistaken for depression. If there's concern that someone is developing Parkinson's disease, they should get a clinical exam from a neurologist to get a diagnosis.
Is Parkinson's disease fatal?
While Parkinson's disease is not fatal, it can cause complications that increase the risk of death. People with Parkinson's have a mortality rate 3 times that of people without Parkinson's.
While Parkinson's disease is not fatal, it can cause complications that increase the risk of death. People with Parkinson's have a mortality rate 3 times that of people without Parkinson's.
Can treatment help prevent Parkinson's disease complications?
Parkinson's disease cannot be cured, but medications, supportive treatments, lifestyle changes, and even surgery can help manage your symptoms or delay more severe symptoms, especially if you start treatment early. This may reduce complications.
Parkinson's disease cannot be cured, but medications, supportive treatments, lifestyle changes, and even surgery can help manage your symptoms or delay more severe symptoms, especially if you start treatment early. This may reduce complications.
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