title: Parkinson's disease in Germany: prevalence and incidence based on health claims data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Germany, epidemiological information on Parkinson's disease (PD) is rare and outdated. Considering aging populations, current prevalences and incidence rates about this age-related disease would be important for adequate public health planning.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used newly available health claims data sets from the largest German health insurer dating 2004-2007 and 2007-2010 with an analysis population in the base years of 491 038 persons aged 50 and older. Quarter-specific information about ICD-10 diagnoses and PD drug prescriptions from the inpatient and outpatient sectors was used to validate PD cases. Estimations were presented for two validation strategies relying on repeated PD diagnoses (SIa) and on one PD diagnosis followed by at least one PD drug prescription (SIb).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The standardized prevalence was 797 (SIb) to 961/100 000 persons (SIa), showing an age-specific increase up to category 85-89 and a decline thereafter. The standardized incidence rate was 192 to 229/100 000 person-years with a similar age-specific shape. Prevalences and incidences rates were higher for men compared to women in regard to age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health claims data are found to be suitable for PD assessment using the repeated diagnoses or PD drug prescriptions as necessary criteria.
authors.affiliation: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany.|Rostock Center for the Study of Demographic Change, Rostock, Germany.|Institute for Sociology and Demography, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nerius
authors.affiliation: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany.|Rostock Center for the Study of Demographic Change, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany.|Rostock Center for the Study of Demographic Change, Rostock, Germany.|Institute for Sociology and Demography, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.|Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Doblhammer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents
keywords: Parkinson's disease; health claims data; incidence; prevalence