[The estimation of prevalence of Parkinson disease in Navarra. An epidemiological study of the consumption of anti-parkinsonian drugs].
BACKGROUND
Research concerning the prevalence of Parkinson's disease in our community was scarce. In addition, this had been carried out using different methodologies. Therefore it was not possible to determine its true impact on public health in our community. Research into the consumption of specific and compulsory drugs such as L-dopa by people with Parkinson's disease made it possible for us to discover its true prevalence.


METHODS
The prevalence of Parkinson's Disease (332.0 and 332.1 of the ICD, 9th Revision) is determined by the consumption of antiparkinsonian drugs (N04A) in Navarra in 1993 and 1994 by calculating the daily defined doses (DDD) per 100,000 inhabitants (10(5)) for each of the prescribed drugs. The data from prescriptions have been obtained from the Pharmaceutical Service of the Health System of Navarre, which covers 93.5% of the population.


RESULTS
By determining the daily defined doses (DDD) of L-dopa per 10(5) inhabitants, a prevalence of 161.5 x 10(5) (CI 95% 172.4-150.6) is estimated for the population as a whole, 8 x 10(5) (CI 95% 10.4-5.6) for people under 65 years of age and 1001.1 x 10(5) for those of 65 years of age and over (CI 95% 1069.6-932.4). Consumption figures of L-dopa in Basic Health Areas (Health Districts) allows the determination of the geographical distribution of Parkinson's Disease in Navarra. It varies between a prevalence in people over 65 years of age of 1602.77 x 10(5) in Alsasua (north-west) and 517.61 x 10(5) in Lodosa (south).


CONCLUSIONS
The figures obtained for Navarre place it in the middle range of European areas, although methodological differences do not allow definitive conclusions to be drawn in this sense.
Artázcoz Sanz
M T
MT
Servicio Navarro de Salud-Osasunbidea, Pamplona, Espaãna.
Viñes Rueda
J J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa
Estimación de la prevalencia de la enfermedad de Parkinson en Navarra. Estudio farmacoepidemiologico del consumo de antiparkinsonianos.