Prevalence of Parkinsonism in Ansan-city

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders are not well documented in Korea. We assessed the prevalence of Parkinsonism in an elderly population in Ansan-city, which is a newly industrialized community with rural origins. METHODS: Randomly selected individuals were selected from a larger Ansan Cohort Study for this study. The sample in the Ansan cohort represented approximately 1.3% (4, 700) of 362, 625 adults (age >18) in the city registery in 1998. Among this group, 4, 218 subjects (1, 086 subjects, age> 60) agreed to be interviewed and receive physical examination and neuropsychological tests by a neurologist and neuropsychologist. All participants including those who either had bradykinesia and at least one another possible cardinal sign of Parkinsonism at the neurologic screening, those who reported that they had PD, or those who were taking antiparkinsonian drugs were examined. RESULTS: In our study, 16 subjects showed parkinsonism. The prevalence of Parkinsonism in this population was 0.37%. Prevalence increased with age, and the prevalence figures were 1.47% for those aged 60 years and older. Postural instability and gait disturbance type was more common in older age group. The results of the neuropsychological tests were as followings (1) only 2 subjects showed low scores (< 20) in Korea-version Mini-mental status examination (K-MMSE), (2) 8 subjects showed 0.5 & 2 of clinical dementia rating (CDR) and (3) other 8 subjects showed 0 of CDR. CONCLUSIONS: Age is a risk factor for Parkinsonism. The result of our prevalence study is similar to those studies conducted in western countries.