Mortality rates for Parkinson’s disease are increasing in Spain. An age-period-cohort and joinpoint analysis of mortality rates from 1981 to 2020

Abstract

Background

Mortality in Parkinson’s disease is increasing worldwide, but Spanish data need further study.

Objective

To analyse the mortality trends of Parkinson’s disease in Spain between 1981 and 2020.

Methods

This observational retrospective study assessed the Parkinson’s disease mortality data from 1981 to 2020 collected from the National Statistics Institute of Spain. Age-standardised mortality rates were analysed by age and sex groups, detecting significant mortality trends through a joinpoint analysis. Age-period-cohort effect and potential years of life lost analyses were conducted. The European standard population of 2013 was considered for the analyses.

Results

A total of 88 034 deaths were assessed. The overall age-standardised mortality rate rose throughout the period from 3.67 to 8.57 per 100 000 inhabitants. Mortality rates in men were higher than in women, 11.63 versus 6.57 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants. The sex ratio showed an increase in premature mortality in men during 2020. The overall joinpoint analysis recorded a rise in mortality, primarily since the 20th century, mainly in male and older groups, that matched with a period effect. The age effect was detected, confirming higher mortality at an older age. The analysis of potential years of life lost detected a growth in this rate, changing from 0.66 in 1981 to 1.06 in 2020.

Conclusions

Mortality data for Parkinson’s disease in Spain rose significantly in forty years. Mortality rate was higher in the male and age group above 75 years of age. The sex ratio showed premature mortality in men in 2020, which will need further study.