Prevalence of Parkinson disease among the Navajo: a preliminary examination.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of Parkinson disease (PD) varies by geographic location and ethnicity, but has never been studied among the Navajo.


METHODS
Period prevalence was calculated using the number of people diagnosed with PD in the Shiprock Service Unit Indian Health Service database during 1995-1999, 2000-2004, and 2005-2009 as the numerator, and the number seen for any reason as the denominator. Age-standardized rates were calculated using the 2000 US population.


RESULTS
During 2005-2009, 126 people were seen with PD (crude prevalence = 203.7/100,000 population). The age-adjusted rate was 335.9 (95% C. I. 277.8-394.0) overall, 438.5 (95% C.I. 336.5-540.5) in men and 259.7 (95% C.I. 192.8-326.7; p = 0.004) in women. The adjusted rate increased with age: 788.8 (95% C.I. 652.0-925.7) for age 40 and above to 1964.9 (95% C.I. 1613.7-2316.1) for age 60 and above. Adjusted rates were 246.6 (95% C.I. 187.2-306.0) in 1995-1999 and 284.7 (95% C.I. 227.0-342.4) in 2000-2004.


CONCLUSIONS
Parkinson disease appears common among the Navajo. Estimates increased with age and time, and were higher in men. In-person interviews are needed to confirm these estimates, and to determine incidence, quality of care, and risk factors for PD among the Navajo.
Division of Neurology, Northern Navajo Medical Center, Shiprock, NM 87420, USA. paul.gordon@ihs.gov
Paul H
PH
Gordon
Hongwei
H
Zhao
Denise
D
Bartley
Lt James G
LJ
Sims
Mae-Gilene
MG
Begay
Sarah
S
Pirio Richardson
Johnnye
J
Lewis
Andrew S
AS
Rowland
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult