The prevalence of Parkinson’s disease is on the rise, with an estimated 12 million to 17 million people expected to be affected by 2040, according to a recent three-paper series in The Lancet. The series addresses the current state of knowledge on the epidemiology of Parkinson’s disease, recent advances in understanding its pathogenesis, and the latest evidence supporting optimal medical, surgical, and physical treatment.
Parkinson’s disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by progressive asymmetric slowness of movement, rigidity, tremor, gait disturbance, and a wide range of non-motor symptoms. Its etiology involves both genetic and environmental risk factors, making it a multi-factorial condition.
Despite the increasing public health burden, current treatment strategies primarily focus on symptom management. There is an urgent need for disease-modifying treatments to prevent the development of the most disabling refractory symptoms, such as gait and balance difficulties, cognitive impairment and dementia, and speech and swallowing problems.
With increasing life expectancies and fewer competing causes of death, the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease is expected to grow to 12 million to 17 million people by 2040. This rise will place additional strain on health systems globally, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries where availability of treatments and supporting therapy is lowest. Even in high-income countries, minority ethnic groups and those in rural areas face challenges in accessing care.
Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease, especially in its early stages, presents difficulties that hinder effective care. There is a significant need for a better understanding of the specific needs of minority ethnic patients, whose clinical manifestations and associated morbidities are still poorly described.
The pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease remains largely elusive, as detailed in the first two papers of the series. While experts agree that it is an age-related disease with a multi-factorial cause, there are still questions surrounding its exact origins.
