Estimation of the Prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease in Navarra. PharmacoepidemiologicaRl esearchin to the Consumption of Antiparkinsonian Drugs

Abstract

Background: Research concerning the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease in our community was scarce. In addition. this had been carried out using different methodologies. Therefore it was not possible to determine its true impact on public health in our community. Research into the consumption of specific and compulsory drugs such as L-dopa by people with Parkinson’s disease made it possible for us to discover its true prevalence. Methods: The prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease (332.0 nad 332,1 of the ICD. 9th Revision) is determined by the consumption of antiparkinsonian drugs (N04A) in Navarra in 1993 and 1994 by calculating the daily defined doses (DDD) per 100,000 inhabitants (10”) for each of the prescribed drugs. The data from prescriptions have been obtained from the Pharmaceutical Service of the Health System of Navarre. which covers 93.5% of the population. Results: By determining the daily defined doses (DDD) of L-dopa per 10 inhabitans, a prevalence of 161.5 x 10” (CI 9.5% 172.4-150.6) is estimated for the population as a whole. 8 x 10´ (CI 95% 10.4-5.6) for people under 65 years of age and 1001.1 x 10” for those of 65 years of age and over (CI 95% 1069.6-932.4). Consumption figures of L-dopa in Basic Health Areas (Health Districts) allows the determination of the geographical distribution of Parkinson’s Disease in Navarra. It varies between a prevalence in people over 65 years of age of 1602.77 x 1 oli in Alsasua (north-West) and 517.61 x 10’ in Lodosa (South). Conclusions: The ligures obtained for Navarre place it in the middle range of European amas, although methodological differences do not allow definitive conclusions to be drawn in this sense.