Long-Term Trends in the Incidence, Prevalence, and Burden of Parkinson Disease in Korea, 1990-2023: A Focus on Sex Differences

Purpose This study examined longterm trends and sex differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disease burden of Parkinson disease in Korea from 1990 to 2023. Methods Publicly available Global Burden of Disease 2023 data were used to obtain numbers and agestandardized rates (ASRs) for incidence, prevalence, deaths, disabilityadjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), and years lived with disability (YLDs). Percentage changes between 1990 and 2023 and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) in ASRs were calculated, and the proportions of YLLs and YLDs within DALYs were assessed by sex. Results Incident cases increased from 2,154 to 14,707, prevalent cases from 14,207 to 124,070, deaths from 803 to 4,521, and DALYs from 16,162 to 81,111. The ASRs for incidence and prevalence increased by 66.61% and 111.55%, respectively. Men generally had higher incidence, mortality, DALY, and YLL rates, whereas women showed larger EAPCs for incidence, prevalence, and YLD rates. The agestandardized YLL rate changed little between 1990 and 2023, while the YLD rate increased by 113.34%. The proportion of DALYs attributable to YLDs rose from 12.63% to 21.64%, with a larger increase in women. Conclusion The burden of Parkinson disease in Korea increased substantially, while sex differences in prevalence narrowed and the contribution of nonfatal disability grew. These findings highlight the need for sexsensitive surveillance and expanded longterm rehabilitation, multidisciplinary care, and communitybased support.