Changes in Prevalence and Incidence of Parkinson’s Disease in Japan during a Quarter of a Century

Abstract

Background/Aim: To determine the prevalence and incidence of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and compare them with results from our previous studies. Methods: We examined epidemiological characteristics of PD patients using a service-based study in Yonago City, and a door-to-door study in Daisen Town. The prevalence days were April 1, 2004 in Yonago, and April 1, 2003 in Daisen. Results: In Yonago, we identified 254 PD patients. The crude prevalence was 180.3 (95% CI, 158.1–202.4) per 100,000 population. The adjusted prevalence was 145.8 (95% CI, 145.2–146.5) in 1980, 147.0 (95% CI, 146.3–147.6) in 1992, and 166.8 (95% CI, 166.1–167.5) in 2004, when calculated using the Japanese population in 2004. The crude incidence was 18.4 (95% CI, 11.3–25.5) per 100,000 population per year. The crude incidence in 1980 was 10.2 (95% CI, 4.6–15.8), and the adjusted incidence was 9.8 (95% CI, 4.3–15.3) in 1992, and 10.3 (95% CI, 4.7–15.9) in 2004, when calculated using the population in Yonago in 1980. In Daisen, there were 21 PD patients. The crude prevalence was 306.6 (95% CI, 175.7–437.6) and the adjusted prevalence was 192.6 (95% CI, 191.9–193.8). Conclusions: The prevalence of PD had increased, primarily because the population had aged. Differences in prevalence between these adjacent areas may have resulted from differences in the methods of investigation.

Prescribing Pattern of Anti-Parkinson Drugs in Japan: A Trend Analysis from 2005 to 2010

“…Thus, generalization of the results requires prudent consideration. Second, the proportion of people aged 65 years and older was small, although PD occurs mainly in the elderly population [1], [2], [42]. Moreover, a different insurance system, which was implemented in 2008, applies to people aged 75 years and older [23].…”

“…In Japan, PD occurs with a prevalence of 109–167 and annual incidence of 10.3 (per 100,000 people) [1], [2]. In recent years, with the release of new anti-Parkinson drugs, treatment options for PD have increased.…”

Relationship between Amount of Daily Movement Measured by a Triaxial Accelerometer and Motor Symptoms in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

“…Similar to other countries, the number of patients with PD in Japan is rising as the elderly population increases [1]. PD is a heterogeneous disorder, and accordingly the clinical course and responsiveness to levodopa vary among individual patients depending on the age at onset and motor and nonmotor clinical symptoms and signs.…”

The health-related, social, and economic consequences of parkinsonism: a controlled national study

“…Parkinson's disease (PD) and atypical parkinsonism (AP) are serious neurodegenerative disorders that affect a significant proportion of the adult population [1][2][3][4][5][6]. These disorders lead to a deterioration in motor, mental, and functional skills and are associated with significantly increased mortality rates, particularly for patients with AP [7].…”