Incidence and Prevalence
According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Parkinson's disease affects about 1 million people in the United States and more than 4 million people worldwide. The disorder occurs in all races, but Parkinson's is somewhat more prevalent among Caucasians. Men develop the disease slightly more often than women.
Symptoms of Parkinson's disease can appear at any age, but the average age of onset is 60. Parkinson's is rare in people younger than 30 years of age, and risk for the disease increases with age. It is estimated that 5–10% of patients who have Parkinson's experience symptoms before the age of 40. Parkinson's disease is common in the elderly and affects one person in 20 over the age of 80.
Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 02 Jan 2000
Reviewed by: Gordon R. Kelley, M.D., Stanley J. Swierzewski, III, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 03 Sep 2008
Parkinson's Disease, Incidence and Prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease reprinted with permission from neurologychannel.com
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