Prevalence of Parkinson's disease

PD is the second commonest cause of neurological disability in the UK.

PD is estimated to affect 100 -180 people per 100,000 of the population. The incidence increases with age. It affects about 0.4% of people over 40 years, about 1% of people over 60 years, about 2-3% of those older than 65 and 3-4% of those older than 85.

50% of those older than 80, have at least two clinical signs of Parkinsonism. It is found in almost 10% of the institutionalised elderly and 30-40% of cases may remain undiagnosed. The average age of onset is in the early to mid 60's but rarely it can begin in middle age (young onset) or in childhood or adolescence (juvenile parkinsonism).