Patient Associations Launch “Understand Parkinson’s Disease” Campaign in Romania

On the occasion of World Day against Parkinson’s disease, three associations from Romania – the “Sufletul Lalelelor – Soul of Tulips“, the Association of Parkinson’s Patients, and the “Stronger than Parkinson’s Disease” Association – are launching the national awareness campaign “Understand Parkinson’s“, with the message – Recognize the signs of Parkinson’s disease – T.R.A.P. Look for a neurologist! and the information platform intelegeparkinson.ro.
The Romanian Society of Neurology supports the project.

Parkinson’s disease affects more than 6.2 million people worldwide, of which 1.2 million are in Europe, making Parkinson’s disease the second most common after Alzheimer’s disease and, at the same time, the fastest-growing condition globally. In Romania, official statistics indicate 72,000 patients diagnosed with this clinically progressive neurodegenerative condition, of which 8,100 are in Bucharest. Recent research indicates that the number of patients will double by 2030.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are varied, which means that it is often confused with other conditions and the diagnosis is delayed. Parkinson’s disease has more than 40 symptoms and mainly affects body movements, and patients are diagnosed, on average, around the age of 60. Movement disorders appear in stage 3 of the disease, but it develops slowly, and the first lesions can appear even 20 years before the first signs.

Special projection on the building of the National Theater I.L. Caragiale from Bucharest

In this context, the “Understand Parkinson’s” campaign aims to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease, to bring attention to its impact on the lives of patients and their families, and to encourage community involvement in supporting these people. More importantly, by launching the inteleparkinson.ro platform, the aim is to increase the level of information about the symptoms of this disease. In addition to the information platform, the launch of the “Understand Parkinson’s” campaign will include a series of informative screenings in the Cineplexx cinema network throughout the country, as well as a special screening on the National Theater building in Bucharest, on April 11, between 20:00 and 00:00.

Doctors in Romania talk about the underdiagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, the leading cause being the lack of information. Most of the time, patients are confused or even ignore the specific symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. When they decide to consult a neurologist, the disease is already advanced.

“In general, patients in Romania turn to the medical system late, no matter what the discomfort or condition is. The world does not conceive of going to control unless it has an important problem, or if it has no problem at all, such as some difficulty which it finds in initiating the movement. It’s harder to get up from the armchair, it’s harder to start walking or doing any motor activity. Then if they see that the movements are clearly slower, they move slower, no matter what they do, it takes them longer. If when you are sitting absolutely relaxed on the couch watching a movie, a hand or a leg starts shaking. If I write more difficult and the letters have shrunk. If they can no longer be buttoned easily. Men may have problems with “dexterity” when shaving. Women put on make-up or hairbrush. Then, in Parkinson’s disease, the patient may have several symptoms, of which the shoulder pain bothers him the most, and then he goes to see our orthopedist or rheumatologist colleagues. All this must attract attention all the more if they find that the smell is no longer good or that they have had a period of depression (lack of pleasure and motivation, sustained sad thoughts, low self-esteem, etc.),” he explains Prof. Dr. Bogdan Ovidiu Popescu, coordinator of the working group for Parkinson’s disease and related conditions of the Romanian Neurological Society (SNR), former President of the SNR (2017-2021), vice-chancellor at the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Bucharest and vice-president of the College of Doctors from the Municipality of Bucharest.
Parkinson’s disease requires complex management, which is why the SNR also supports the development of “Centers of Expertise in the Field of Movement Disorders and Parkinson’s Disease Management”, within the university centers in Romania. At the moment, centers of excellence are operating in Bucharest, Cluj -Napoca, Târgu Mureş, Timișoara, Iaşi, Suceava, Oradea, Craiova, Constanta, Galați, Sibiu and Brașov, where patients with Parkinson’s disease are treated by multidisciplinary teams made up of neurologists, gastroenterologists, psychologist, nutritionist/dietitian, speech therapist or specialist in physical and rehabilitation medicine.

“On World Parkinson’s Day, through a joint effort, we are launching the inteleparkinson.ro platform, to make known the symptoms of the disease so that people can better understand this disease, know where to turn, and know what to do tell the doctor, to be able to manage everyday situations. The goal is for patients to know they can benefit from medical assistance and new-generation treatments, specific to their needs. We want to take this opportunity to thank the Health authorities for what they have done so far in allocating funds for new treatments. We continue to count on their support to settle the delivery systems for these therapies (needles, tubes, infusion lines) as they benefit other patients with chronic diseases. In addition, home care and palliative care services would help many families with a loved one with this condition. Our efforts and efforts will continue to bring the hope of normalcy to patients with Parkinson’s disease”, emphasizes Emilia Paula Zagavei, a patient diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and president of the Association of Parkinson’s Patients “Sufletul lalelor“.

What causes Parkinson’s disease?

In Parkinson’s disease, the cells in the brain responsible for controlling the body’s movements stop producing dopamine, a substance that facilitates communication between nerves. As these cells die, the brain no longer receives the messages it needs to coordinate movements.

Researchers still do not know the exact cause of Parkinson’s disease, a complex neuro-degenerative condition, but there is evidence that genetic and environmental factors play an essential role. On the list of possible causes are exposure to chemical pollutants, herbicides and pesticides, and substances that block dopamine receptors. Lifestyle and diet can also have a significant impact. Doctors believe that the bacteria in the gut can influence the development of Parkinson’s disease and recommend that patients consume yogurt with live enzymes and eat a lot of beans and whole grains, vegetables and fruits, avoiding fatty foods and reducing meat consumption.

Although no treatment can stop the progression of Parkinson’s disease, there are solutions to control symptoms and improve the quality of life through current therapies for different groups of patients.

Organizers: Association of Parkinson’s Patients “The Soul of the Tulips”, Association of the Fight Against Parkinson’s Disease and “Stronger Than Parkinson’s Disease” Association.
Partners: Society of Neurology in Romania, Cineplexx. Ministry of Culture, National Theater I.L. Caragiale

About the Association of Parkinson’s Patients “Sufletul Lalelor”

The Association of Parkinson’s Patients “Sufletul Laleleror” is a non-governmental association that aims to support patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in Botoșani County and their relatives.

About the Association Against Parkinson’s Disease

The Association for the Fight Against Parkinson’s Disease was founded in 2006 by Mr. Dan Raican. The purpose of the association is to support and care for Parkinson’s patients and to develop the research carried out in Romania for the treatment of this disease.

About the “Stronger than Parkinson’s Disease” Association

The association “Stronger than Parkinson’s Disease” is involved in awareness campaigns and events on this disease’s effects on patients and their families.

About the Romanian Society of Neurology

The Romanian Society of Neurology is a professional and scientific organization of neurologists, non-governmental, apolitical, and non-profit, with a fully autonomous legal personality from a structural, functional and economic point of view. It includes highly trained professionals, clinicians or neurological researchers from Romania interested in neurological practice, education, research, or related fields.