title: The epidemiology of Parkinson's disease in the Republic of Ireland: observations from routine data sources.
abstract: Routine data sources can provide clues to the temporal and geographical patterns of Parkinson's disease. Mortality trends show divergent age specific rates, with decreasing mortality for younger age-groups and increasing mortality for older age-groups. Cohort analysis showed a pattern consistent with the hypothesis that Parkinson's disease may have increased after the encephalitis lethargica pandemic. Hospital admission data suggest a rural excess of cases. The interpretation of this finding is complicated by the role of a variety of potential biases. Research is needed to examine urban-rural differences and environmental risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Community Health, Trinity College Dublin.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ben-Shlomo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Finnan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allwright
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Davey Smith
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data