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Original Article
Treatment disparities in Parkinson's disease†
Article first published online: 9 SEP 2009
DOI: 10.1002/ana.21774
Copyright © 2009 American Neurological Association
Additional Information
How to Cite
Dahodwala, N., Xie, M., Noll, E., Siderowf, A. and Mandell, D. S. (2009), Treatment disparities in Parkinson's disease. Ann Neurol., 66: 142–145. doi: 10.1002/ana.21774
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 9 SEP 2009
- Article first published online: 9 SEP 2009
- Manuscript Revised: 29 MAY 2009
- Manuscript Accepted: 29 MAY 2009
- Manuscript Received: 25 MAR 2009
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
We sought to identify racial disparities in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). We identified 307 incident PD cases using Pennsylvania State Medicaid claims, and extracted claims for medications, physical therapy, and healthcare visits for the 6 months after diagnosis. After controlling for age, sex, and geography, African-Americans were four times less likely than whites to receive any PD treatment (odds ratio, 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.09–0.64), especially indicated medications. In a group with the same healthcare insurance, disparities in PD treatment exist. Physician and community awareness of these racial differences in PD treatment is the first step in addressing healthcare disparities. Ann Neurol 2009;66:142–145