Parkinson's disease and functional decline in older Mexican Americans

The purpose of this study was to establish prevalence and five-year incidence, and explore functional decline among older Mexican Americans with Parkinson's disease (PD). Using data from the Hispanic EPESE, baseline characteristics were compared across PD response profiles. Weighted generalized estimating equations (GEE) modeled the association between PD and outcomes. Prevalence was 1.30%; incidence at wave 4 was 1.18%. Those with prevalent PD had worse function than those without PD at each wave. Progressive functional decline across time was observed among those with PD. Older Mexican Americans with PD often live in the community, and those who provide care for them may be overburdened.