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As the number of people living with Parkinson\u2019s continues to rise, researchers warn that healthcare and social care systems are likely to face increasing pressure.<\/p>\n
Parkinson\u2019s disease ranks as the second most common and fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. In Europe, its prevalence has almost doubled since 1990, rising from 135 to 247 cases per 100,000 people. Researchers attribute the increase partly to an ageing population and improved diagnosis.<\/p>\n
The study estimates that around 2.2 million adults lived with Parkinson\u2019s disease across 47 European countries in 2019.<\/p>\n
Of the total economic burden, \u20ac17.3 billion covered direct medical and non-medical costs, including hospital care, medication, social care and home adaptations.<\/p>\n
A further \u20ac4.4 billion represented informal, unpaid care provided by family members and friends, while \u20ac1 billioncame from indirect costs linked to lost productivity.<\/p>\n
Germany Recorded the Highest Cost<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Germany recorded the highest national economic burden at \u20ac5.7 billion, followed by:<\/p>\n Together, these five countries accounted for approximately 75% of Parkinson\u2019s disease\u2019s total economic burden in Europe.<\/p>\n \u201cThe concentration of costs in these five countries probably reflects a combination of factors,\u201d said Professor Richard Dodel from the University of Duisburg-Essen.<\/p>\n These factors include their large populations, the higher prevalence of Parkinson\u2019s among older people, higher healthcare costs in wealthier countries and greater availability of data.<\/p>\n Major Data Gaps Remain<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The study also identified significant gaps in the available evidence.<\/p>\n Of the 14 cost-of-illness studies included in the analysis, 13 came from high-income countries. Researchers found no suitable primary data for low- and middle-income countries.<\/p>\n As a result, the \u20ac22.8 billion estimate covers 43 of the 47 countries for which researchers assessed Parkinson\u2019s disease prevalence.<\/p>\n The authors call for standardised methods to measure the cost of Parkinson\u2019s disease. They say consistent and comparable data would help governments and health authorities plan services more effectively and make better-informed policy decisions.<\/p>\n The research forms part of the Cost of Illness in Neurology in Europe (COIN-Eu) initiative, led by the European Academy of Neurology. The initiative aims to quantify the social and economic burden of major neurological diseases across Europe.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n