Is the rate of Parkinson’s disease diagnosis higher in the US than first thought?

Previous figures have suggested that between 40,000 and 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s every year in North America.

Now, a new study has indicated that this figure could be higher. Research published in the journal ‘npj Parkinson’s disease’ suggests that almost 90,000 people aged 65 and over are diagnosed with the condition in the US each year.

Researchers analysed five healthcare datasets – one from Canada and four from the US – and found that the number of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the US could now be around 50% higher than previously thought.

Study co-author Dr James Beck said: “These updated estimates of incidence are necessary for understanding disease risk, planning healthcare delivery and addressing care disparities.”

The research was supported by the Parkinson’s Foundation, The Michael J Fox Foundation and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences.

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