[The prevalence and pharmacological cost of Parkinson's disease in Spain]

Author(s): Abasolo-Osinaga E, Abecia-Inchaurregui LC, Fernandez-Diaz E, Barcenilla-Laguna A, Banares-Onraita T

Affiliation(s): Departamento de Medicine Preventiva y Salud Publica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad del Pais Vasco, E-01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. eider.abasolo@ehu.es

Publication date & source: 2006-12-01, Rev Neurol., 43(11):641-5.

Publication type: Comparative Study; English Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease is the second most frequent neurodegenerative disease. AIM: To analyze the dispensation of antiparkinsonian agents in Spain and to estimate the Parkinson's disease prevalence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dispensation of antiparkinsonian agents were studied in Spain during two years (October 1998 to September 2000). Results were expressed in defined daily dosages per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DID). Levodopa's DID was used to estimate the prevalence of the disease. The cost per 1,000 inhabitants per day (CID) and the daily treatment cost was also valued. RESULTS: The most frequently used drugs are levodopa, biperiden and selegiline. The total cost reached values of 116,346,589.30 euros during the study period. The CID was 4,14 euros. It was very high the daily treatment cost of pramipexol and entacapone. The prevalence of Parkinson's disease is considered in 1.7 per 1,000 inhabitants in Spain. There is an important geographical variability; regions as Castilla-Leon, Galicia and La Rioja have a higher prevalence than Andalucia or Murcia. The number of patients in Spain can be considered in 69,571 people. CONCLUSION: There are some differences between the autonomous communities in the antiparkinsonian drugs' utilization.