U.S. Parkinson's disease incidence far higher than earlier estimates -study

H Lundbeck A/S

15/12/2022 18:58

By Shawana Alleyne-Morris and Nancy Lapid
       Dec 15 (Reuters) - The annual number of new Parkinson's
disease diagnoses in the United States is likely 50% higher than
estimated, based on a broad analysis of insurance claims and
population growth detailed in a study published on Thursday that
could help increase funding and care for the disabling illness.
    Earlier, much smaller U.S. studies conducted in the
mid-1980's had suggested roughly 60,000 people are diagnosed
with Parkinson's disease each year. The number in 2020 was
likely closer to 86,000 and will approach 90,000 this year,
James Beck, chief scientific officer for the Parkinson's
Foundation, said in an interview. 
        Parkinson's - the second-most deadly neurodegenerative
disease after Alzheimer's disease - is disabling and incurable.
The estimated economic cost is $52 billion annually in the
United States alone, according to a report of the study
published in npj Parkinson's Disease. 
    The researchers hope documenting the higher numbers will
help the Parkinson's Foundation and other advocacy groups such
as the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research obtain
increased funding for research and access to care. 
    To update the estimated number of people being diagnosed
with the disease, Beck's team analyzed data from large health
insurance databases and long-term health studies on more than 15
million adults across the United States and in Ontario, Canada,
in 2012. That is the most recent year for which the necessary
data was consistent among all the databases, Beck said. 
    Using computer models, the researchers adjusted the findings
to reflect more recent U.S. populations.
    "These updated estimates of incidence are necessary for
understanding disease risk, planning healthcare delivery, and
addressing care disparities," Beck said.
    "We're confident that we have data sets that represent a
broad swath of America." 
    Each year, Parkinson's disease is diagnosed in 47 to 77 of
every 100,000 adults over age 45 and in 108 to 112 of every
100,000 age 65 and older, Beck's team reported 
    The higher rate in older people is not surprising because
age is the biggest risk factor for the disease, Beck said.
    A separate study by Beck's team recently put the number of
U.S. patients living with Parkinson's disease at nearly 1
million, whereas earlier estimates had been closer to 650,000,
he said. 
   The global Parkinson's disease drug market is projected to
reach $8.4 billion by 2030, from $5.5 billion in 2021, according
to QY Research as reported by Biospace.   
    Manufacturers of Parkinson's treatments include Pfizer Inc
 PFE.N , Roche Holding AG  ROG.S , Merck & Co  MRK.N , Novartis
AG  NOVN.S , UCB SA  UCB.BR , Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
 VRTX.O , H Lundbeck A/S  LUN.CO , Acadia Pharmaceuticals
 ACAD.O , Vertical Pharma Resources Ltd and Impax Laboratories. 
    "Because the U.S. population is aging, a lot of people are
going to be entering the health system with Parkinson's
disease," Beck said, "and there are only about 700 neurologists
in the country who specialize in movement disorders."  
 (Reporting by Shawana Alleyne-Morris and Nancy Lapid; editing
by Caroline Humer and Bill Berkrot)
 ((Shawana.Alleyne-Morris@thomsonreuters.com;
Nancy.Lapid@thomsonreuters.com))