Global burden of early-onset Parkinson's disease, 1990-2021: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

OBJECTIVES

Early-onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) is an increasingly serious disorder, yet there is currently a scarcity of epidemiological data and reports on this disease worldwide.

METHODS

By using data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study, we analysed the number of incident cases, prevalent cases and years lived with disability (YLDs) for EOPD (diagnosis after the age of 20 years and before the age of 50 years) from 1990 to 2021, along with their corresponding age-standardised rates. Additionally, we calculated the average annual percent change of the age-standardised rates and analysed the negative correlation between smoking and the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) burden for EOPD.

RESULTS

From 1990 to 2021, the incidence, prevalence and YLDs associated with EOPD have tripled globally. Most countries have seen a consistent increase in the age-standardised incidence and prevalence rates of this disease, especially those with high-middle Socio-Demographic Index scores. In 2021, smoking contributed to a 9.03% decrease in the global burden of DALYs, a decline from -14.14% in 1990.

CONCLUSIONS

EOPD is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide, necessitating the attention of global health organisations and the implementation of effective intervention measures to address this serious challenge.