Estudio demográfico y de prevalencia del parkinsonismo en la Región de Murcia

Resumen

Objectives: 1) To quantify the number of patients suffering from parkinsonism in the Region of Murcia (RM), by Health Areas and Zones; 2) To evaluate in absolute numbers, their prevalence and relative percentages; and 3) Find the distribution by sex and age groups and calculate the corresponding parameters of descriptive statistics. Material and methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive and observational study, which included patients from all RM who were registered in the Primary Care (PA) databases of the Murcian Health Service (SMS). Those with CIAP-2 code N87, which includes the terms Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism, were included. These records were crossed with the database of patients being treated with specific antiparkinsonian drugs, subgroup N04 of the ATC classification, of the Pharmacy Service of the Management of the Murcian Health Service. A final list of confirmed diagnoses was obtained. Patients were distributed by Health Areas and Zones. The number, prevalences and percentages (total and partial) by age and sex groups, means and age ranges were analyzed. The analysis was performed at the ages at diagnosis and at the time of data collection, comparing both situations. Results: A total of 3050 parkinsonian patients were obtained: 1476 men and 1574 women: with respective prevalences of 206.09/10^5, 199.06/10^5 and 213.15/10^5. There were no significant differences either by sex, or in the number of patients (p=0.79) or in prevalence (p=0.52). The number of cases increased progressively with age to the maximum in the five-year period of 80 to 84 years, from which it began to decrease. From the five-year period of 45-49 years to the 70-74 years there were more cases of men, being statistically significant (p<0.05) between 50 and 69 years. From the five-year period of 75-79 years to ages >=100 years there were more cases in women, being statistically significant (p<0.05) between 80 and 94 years. Regarding prevalence, it increased with age to the last age group, 85 years and older, where the maximum prevalence of 2039.68/10^5 was reached. The prevalence in all age groups from the five-year period of 45-49 years was higher in men, reaching significance (p<0.05) from 50 to 99 years, except in the five-year period of 90-94 years and the age group of >=100 years, which were higher in women (with significance, p<0.05, in those over 100 years). Regarding the distribution in the 9 Health Areas, the highest prevalences were in the Areas: IV Noroeste (prevalence 322.31/10^5), V Altiplano (prevalence 304.30/10^5) and IX Vega Alta del Segura (prevalence 246.48/10^5). The lowest prevalence (171.13/10^5) corresponded to Area VII Murcia East, being statistically significant (p<0.05) of the first two with respect to the others, but not among themselves (p=0.49). Of the 85 Health Zones, the one with the highest prevalence was Lorca-La Paca (510.51/10^5) and the one with the lowest Murcia-Zarandona (78.48/10^5) with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Conclusions: This is the first detailed demographic and prevalence study of parkinsonism in the Region of Murcia, with detailed analysis by Health Areas and Zones. It stands out higher prevalence in men up to nonagenarians and centenarians. By Health Area, the prevalence was very high and significantly higher in the Northwest and Altiplano Areas, which should be studied in depth. The results were similar to those of other national regions.