Parkinson's disease is a debilitating neurological disorder that affects millions worldwide, causing significant concerns to patients, families, and healthcare systems.
A recent study has revealed that Parkinson's disease could affect over 2.5 crore people globally by 2050. Largely driven by the ageing population, the projected numbers show a 112 per cent increase from cases in 2021.
Also, the British Medical Journal revealed that the cases of the neurological disorder from South Asia are predicted to be the second highest at 68 lakh.
### What is Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder of the nervous system. It affects the nerve cells that control many parts of the body, including movement.
The disorder causes several issues impacting daily life including tremors, stiffness, slowing of movements and difficulty in balancing. In severe cases, it affects the speech, writing, memory and behaviour of the person. It may also include depression, anxiety, and sleep problems.
With no cure currently available, management of Parkinson's relies on medications, highlighting the need for continued research, improved therapies, and enhanced support services to address the complex challenges posed by this disease.
The prevalence of the disease was estimated from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 data from across 195 countries.
According to researchers from the Capital Medical University, China, "population ageing is predicted the main factor driving nearly 90 per cent of the projected cases."
The men-to-women ratio in Parkinson's cases could increase from 1.46 in 2021 to 1.64 in 2050 the world over, the authors noted.
It was also found that increasing physical activity could reduce the future number of Parkinson's disease cases.