Worldwide trends in mortality related to Parkinson's disease in the period of 1994-2019: Analysis of vital registration data from the WHO Mortality Database

Abstract

Background: Mortality due to Parkinson's disease (PD) and its long-term trends worldwide in recent decades remain unknown. No previous studies have simultaneously studied age- and sex-specific mortality trends at a population level worldwide. Insights gained from this study can help identify high-risk populations and inform healthcare service requirements for managing Parkinson's disease globally.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine trends in mortality from Parkinson's disease by age-group and sex across countries all over the world. In this study, we used worldwide registry data to examine the temporal trends in PD mortality across most counties of the world from 1994 to 2019 using joinpoint regression.

Results: In data from vital registration systems, huge variations in the patterns of deaths due to Parkinson's disease were observed both over time and between countries. Between 1994 and 2019, there was a significant increase in mortality rates globally in both men and women. In more detail, the mortality rate (per 100,000) in 1994 was 1.76 and reached 5.67 in 2019. Greater increases in mortality were seen in men than in women; and in older than in younger people.

Conclusions: There has been a striking rising trend in Parkinson's disease mortality globally. Persistent age and sex disparities are found in Parkinson's disease mortality trends. Our findings may have important implications for future research, healthcare planning, and provision.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; epidemiology; mortality; neurodegenerative disorders; trends.

Figure 1

A visual summary of geographical differences of the annual Parkinson's disease-related mortality rate according to age.

Figure 2

Parkinson's disease-related mortality according to age and according to the classification of the Human Development Index (HDI).

Figure 3

Joinpoint regression analysis showing the differences in the trends of Parkinson's mortality according to the classification of HDI.

Figure 4

Global prevalence of Parkinson's disease in 2016 in comparison to mortality. Prevalence is expressed as the percentage of the population that is affected by the disease. Data for prevalence were extracted from the “Global, regional, and national burden of Parkinson's disease, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016”.