Life table mortality analysis of parkinsonian signs in a community population of older people.

BACKGROUND A community based mortality review of individuals with parkinsonism is evaluated by a comparative life table analysis. RESULTS Individuals with parkinsonism had an increased mortality over a nine year follow up. The presence of a gait disturbance is an additional mortality factor. However, the absence of gait disturbance is a far stronger factor for improved survival in parkinsonism than is the adverse factor of a gait disturbance being present. Bradykinesia, tremor and rigidity had no significant additional mortality effect. CONCLUSIONS Careful risk selection should lead to a favorable mortality result. Credits can be given to those without gait disturbances and extra debits assessed to those with gait disorders.