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Review
. 2024 Mar:120:106000.
doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2024.106000. Epub 2024 Jan 8.

Update: Descriptive epidemiology of Parkinson disease

Nikolas Grotewold  1 , Roger L Albin  2
Affiliations
Review

Update: Descriptive epidemiology of Parkinson disease

Nikolas Grotewold et al. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2024 Mar.

Abstract

We review the descriptive epidemiology of Parkinson disease (PD). PD is a prevalent neurologic disorder in high Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) nations with rising prevalence in low and middle SDI nations. PD became a prevalent disorder in high SDI nations during the 20th century. Population growth, population aging, and increased disease duration are major drivers of rising PD prevalence. Exposure to industrial toxicants may also be a contributor to rising PD prevalence. PD is an age-related disorder with incidence likely peaking in the 8th decade of life and prevalence in the 9th decade of life. PD is notable for significant sex difference in PD risk with greater risk in men. There may be ancestral differences in PD prevalence and risk. PD is associated with moderately increased mortality though this may be underestimated. Despite significant research, there is considerable uncertainty about basic features of PD epidemiology.

Keywords: Aging; Epidemiology; Incidence; Mortality; Parkinson disease; Prevalence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Roger Albin reports financial support was provided by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Roger Albin reports financial support was provided by Parkinson's Foundation. Roger Albin reports a relationship with Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc that includes: consulting or advisory. Roger Albin reports a relationship with IQVIA that includes: consulting or advisory. Roger Albin reports a relationship with Biogen Inc that includes: consulting or advisory. Mr. Grotewold has no potential competing interests.

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