Parkinson's disease among American Indians and Alaska natives: a nationwide prevalence study.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people.


METHODS
We analyzed records for AI/AN people between 2002 and 2009 using inpatient and outpatient visit data from the Indian Health Service. Crude and age-adjusted prevalence, using the 2000 projected US population as the standard, was determined overall and by age group, sex, period, and region.


RESULTS
An estimated 2613 AI/AN people carried the diagnosis of PD (crude prevalence, 143.8/100,000). Prevalence increased with age through 84 years. The age-adjusted rate was 355.7 and was higher among men than women (P < .0001). Rates differed by region (P < .0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Parkinson's disease is prevalent among AI/AN people. The prevalence increases with age, varies by geographic region, and is higher among men than women. Community-based studies are needed to define incidence, examine risk factors, and determine reasons for sex and regional differences in PD among AI/AN people.
Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Northern Navajo Medical Center, Shiprock, New Mexico 87420, USA. paul.gordon@ihs.gov
Paul H
PH
Gordon
Jason M
JM
Mehal
Robert C
RC
Holman
Andrew S
AS
Rowland
James E
JE
Cheek
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000208:ethnology; D004930:Inuit / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology