Parkinson's cases in Taiwan approach 80,000

台灣帕金森氏症病例接近8萬

Doctor says early- to mid-stage patients can lead normal lives with regular medication


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Taiwan University Hospital Neurology Department Director and Parkinson’s Alliance of Taiwan Chair Wu Ruey-mei (吳瑞美) said the number of Parkinson's disease cases nationwide is nearing 80,000.

Wu said that Parkinson's disease, a brain disorder more common in men, typically begins between ages 50 and 60. The condition results from the premature aging of brain cells, leading to a shortage of dopamine, a chemical crucial for motor control, making movement difficult, per CNA.

According to the Taiwan Clinical Oncology Research Foundation, Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after dementia, with its incidence increasing with age. It said the prevalence of the disease in Taiwan is estimated at approximately 150 to 300 cases per 100,000 individuals.

Taiwan entered a super-aged society this year, with more than 2,000 new Parkinson’s disease cases diagnosed annually. Wu said that patients in the early- to mid stages of the disease can lead normal lives if they take medication regularly.

Early Parkinson’s disease symptoms include tremors in one limb, joint stiffness and pain, slowed movement, and poor balance, Wu said. She advised that individuals experiencing two or more of these signs seek medical attention.

Wu highlighted that early evening and early morning are peak times for "off" episodes in Parkinson's patients, characterized by sudden mobility loss. She also noted that after years of treatment, some patients may experience reduced drug efficacy with these "off" periods increasing in frequency and duration.

For more severe Parkinson's cases, surgery to implant devices that stimulate electrical current in the brain and reduce "off" episodes may be necessary, Wu said. She added that a noninvasive ultrasound treatment to ablate specific neural tissue has shown results. However, this therapy is not covered by Taiwan’s National Health Insurance.