Ranked second among neurodegenerative diseases after Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, Parkinson’s disease progresses slowly and is characterized in particular by the gradual loss of neurons in the brain. The disease primarily affects people over the age of 60, with prevalence increasing with age. It is 1.5 times more common in men than in women. It is a major cause of dependency, institutionalization, and hospitalization. In 2020, nearly 26,000 new cases were diagnosed, and just under 180,000 people were treated in France, with some regional variation.

Despite some progress in recent decades in understanding the burden of the disease and addressing the associated symptoms—whether motor or non-motor (fatigue, mood disorders, constipation, etc.)—much remains to be done to improve patient care and slow the progression of the disease. Santé publique France monitors trends in the number of people affected by Parkinson’s disease as well as their profiles and makes its data available to support research and prevention. The Agency emphasizes the importance of early intervention and encourages healthcare professionals to remain vigilant regarding symptoms in order to limit the disease’s impact on patients’ quality of life.

A disease that continues to increase over time due to an aging population

Parkinson’s Disease: Key Figures for 2020

As of December 31, 2020, 177,624 people were receiving treatment for Parkinson’s disease in France, or approximately 1 in 380 people. During the year, 25,820 people were newly diagnosed with the disease (equivalent to 38 new cases per 100,000 people per year). The reported rates are consistent with international data.
The number of cases and new cases increases steadily with age between 45 and 80 years before peaking between 85 and 89 years, then decreases. They are higher among men, regardless of age, and the trend reverses after age 85. Among all patients, 15% are under 65 years of age.

The increase over time has already been described in previous data (2010–2015) and was expected given the aging population.

Regional Disparities

In 2020, the data highlight some heterogeneity in terms of incidence, particularly in the departments of French Guiana, Indre, Bouches-du-Rhône, Vienne, and Lozère, which have higher rates than the rest of the country. Given the multifactorial etiology of Parkinson’s disease, there is no obvious explanation for these geographic disparities. Specific studies would help better characterize the risk factors or protective factors for the disease.

A moderate impact on mortality and healthcare utilization in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic

7.6% of patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020 died that same year, compared to 6.3% of deaths among patients diagnosed in 2019 (a 21% increase in the proportion of patients who died within the year). This increase can be explained by higher mortality linked to the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with Parkinson’s disease, limiting the expected rise in prevalence. The observed decline in incidence (-4.7% compared to 2019) could be linked to reduced healthcare utilization.

Regular physical activity to better manage Parkinson’s disease

Regular physical activity helps reduce the risk of developing the disease. In patients, it appears to improve the course of the disease. Although the pathophysiological mechanisms remain to be elucidated, physical activity is currently the lifestyle intervention of greatest interest regarding Parkinson’s disease, particularly due to the other health benefits of physical activity, such as improved muscle and cardiorespiratory capacity, reduced hypertension, improved cognition and sleep, and reduced depression.