Current status and future of Parkinson’s disease in Korea

Kim Joong-Seok, Baik Jong-Sam, Kim Sang Jin, Cho Jin Whan, Koh Seong-Beom, Park Kun Woo, Ma hyeo-Il, Kim Yun Jung, Lee Phil Hyu, Ahn Tae-Beom, Ahn Jin-Young, Chung Sun Ju, Kim Yong Duk, Choi Sung-Min, Park Jeong-Ho, Lee Ho-Won, Park Mee-Young, Kim Jin Ho, Kim Hee-Tae
The Korean Movement Disorder Society
Jo Chulman, Koh Young Ho
Division of Brain Diseases, Center for Biomedical Sciences, KNIH, KCDC

The year 2017 marks the 200th anniversary of Dr. James Parkinson's first systematic deion of Parkinson's disease (PD) in his book “An Essay on the Shaking Palsy.” PD is one of the three major geriatric neurodegenerative diseases, and its incidence is increasing worldwide, with aging. According to data from the National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, PD patients aged 65 years or older account for more than 90% of Parkinsonian syndrome cases (87,930 out of 96,499). The cost of PD treatment has also increased by 21% annually, reaching approximately 224 billion won. Outpatients’ costs are around 2.16 times higher than non-Parkinson's geriatric patients’ and inpatients’ costs are also approximately 1.62 times higher. Moreover, the family members of PD patients spend nearly 22 hours per week for their care.
In Korea, PD is classified as a rare incurable disease among the government's four major diseases. However, medical assistance and nursing costs for non-motor symptoms and complications are not adequately supported, the social supporting network is insufficient, and research funding for PD is highly lacking.
Therefore, a special interest by the government in PD is needed in both the medical and social aspects. In addition, basic and clinical research including epidemiological studies and quality of life should be conducted in order to positively influence disease management.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease, Korea, Hospital costs, Outpatients, Incidence