The Prevalence and Incidence of Parkinson's Disease in South Korea: A 10-Year Nationwide Population: Based Study

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and incidence of Parkinson's disease (PD) are important for supporting the better comprehension of disease aspects and helping public health planning. Our aim is to evaluate the prevalence and incidence in South Korea between 2004 and 2013. METHODS: This retrospective, nationwide, longitudinal population-based study used National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort Database to define patients with PD from 2004 to 2013 based on having Korean Classification of Diseases code G20, which were assigned by neurologists, and being prescribed PD medication. Annual prevalence and incidence were calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of PD per 100,000 of population was 41.4 in 2004 and 142.5 in 2013, and there was 13.2% yearly increase over the 10 years. However, the incidence of PD per 100,000 of population increased steadily from 20.2 in 2004 to 53.1 in 2013. The prevalence and incidence were higher in women than in men. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that there was an increasing trend in the prevalence and incidence of PD from 2004 to 2013, particularly in 70 years and older.