My PD Journey

European coalition set to roll out new composite scale aimed at more efficient diagnosis after successful launch in Brussels


Led by Parkinson’s Europe, the My PD Journey coalition hosted a landmark summit in February 2016 to launch its new and simple composite scale, which aims to facilitate swifter diagnosis of motor and non-motor symptoms.

The summit convened more than 65 high-level stakeholders from the EU institutions and across Parkinson’s community. Together with Heinz Becker MEP and Jutta Steinruck MEP, they discussed the current state of Parkinson’s disease in Europe and the drastic changes needed to improve diagnosis, treatment and care – notably education for non-specialist healthcare professionals and data collection.

One of the neurologists behind My PD Journey’s new composite scale, Professors Fabrizio Stocchi, said at the event in the European Parliament in Brussels:

“Authorities and clinicians need an easy and complete tool to immediately assess a patient’s condition. As existing clinical scales do not give the full picture of the severity of Parkinson’s patients’ symptoms, the My PD Journey coalition has developed a new scale that can be easily used by the medical community and patients themselves. The next steps will be validation and widespread roll-out across Europe, for which medical and political support will be essential.”

My PD journey Fabrizio Stocchi
Fabrizio Stocchi, MD, PhD – one of the neurologists behind My PD Journey’s new composite scale

Commenting at the event, Parkinson’s Europe president Knut-Johan Onarheim, said: “We know that at least 1.2 million people are living with this appalling disease and that this number will double by 2030, so collective action is urgently needed on all fronts.

“The priority must be on fighting disease progression and improving patients’ quality of life. This will also alleviate the burden of Parkinson’s on the European economy, which currently costs at least €13.9 billion annually.”

Knut-Johan Onarheim, president, Parkinson's Europe
Dr Jon Stamford, The Cure Parkinson’s Trust

The summit also featured accounts of good practice from three of the 10 existing national Parkinson’s disease coalitions mobilised under the My PD Journey framework. 1 Marlene Grønnegaard Sørensen (Denmark), Maija Perho (Finland) and Magne Wang Fredriksen (Norway) presented their efforts in the areas of rehabilitation, collaboration between municipalities and care pathways, and highlighted the need for strong political support at national level.

Speaking on behalf of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Head of Sector for Neuro-science Dr Catherine Berens outlined opportunities for EU support for Parkinson’s research under the Horizon 2020 project. Dr Berens highlighted key initiatives including the Joint Programming Initiative on Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JNPD), a Member State-led initiative spanning 30 countries, and emphasised the importance of external partners in advancing research in Europe.

Offering a political perspective, co-host MEP Heinz Becker concluded: “There is no doubt that Parkinson’s disease is one of the greatest threats to European public health. As the situation deteriorates, an ambitious policy response is needed at all levels. It is time for the EU and the Member States to step up for patients and their families, and take action that will achieve systemic change in healthcare agendas and systems across Europe.”

Following the highly successful event, the My PD Journey coalition will turn its attention to the validation and roll-out of its composite scale, engaging actors from political and medical spheres across Europe. It will also continue to support the 10 national coalitions in their development and promote their good practices across borders.

1. Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the UK

My PD journey
My PD Journey coalition summit, 18 February 2016, European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium

Learn more about My PD Journey here