2001

Introduction

The management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) today is a complex and demanding task as more treatment options become available. The patient often poses challenging problems, which may be derived from either their PD or its treatment. Levodopa-induced dyskinesia is one of most vexing problems facing physicians. This paper reviews recent developments on this issue and discusses the management of levodopa-induced dyskinesia.

Introduction

Parkinson's disease is commonly associated with psychiatric morbidity, which includes depression, anxiety, and dopaminergic psychosis. These compound the patient's predicament. Fortunately a variety of effective treatments is available. This article reviews the diagnosis and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychosis in Parkinson's disease, and offers strategies for effective management.

Depression

The article "Cervical cancer screening in BC Chinese women" (Hislop TG, Teh C, Lai A, et al. BCMJ 2000;42(10):456-460) confirms the suspicion of why the incidence of invasive cervical cancer is higher in Chinese women than in Caucasian women in BC (two to four times higher in BCCA study 1993).[1] The study concludes that the cervical cancer screening (Pap smear) rates in these Chinese women are about 20% below the provincial average.

It is well known that over half the public are using complementary health modalities and that most do not inform their family physicians for fear of disapproval.

The Association of Complementary Physicians of BC, an organization for physicians interested in complementary and integrative medicine, have been engaged in discussions with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC over the last year regarding this matter.