Introduction to Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale

The progression of Parkinson's disease is usually documented using the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). There are three sections of the UPDRS which evaluate the major areas of disability in Parkinson's disease. In each section, more detailed aspects of each category are rated. The three major sections of the scale are:

• Cognition, Behavior, Mood
• Activities of daily living
• Motor abilities

The scale is administered by a health professional and points are assigned to each item based on patient response and physical examination. The range is from 0 (no disability) to 199 (total disability). The UPDRS helps doctors follow the progression of Parkinson's disease for each patient. The symptoms of Parkinson's disease, timing of presentation, and progression, usually vary for each individual patient.