The Regional Burden of Parkinson’s Disease in Kazakhstan 2014–2021: Insights From National Health Data

Background: This study explores the burden of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia, a region where data on neurological disorders are notably sparse. Methods: Utilizing data from Kazakhstan’s Unified National Electronic Health System during 2014–2021, the study investigates the epidemiology, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and survival outcomes in a cohort of PD patients. The authors employed Cox proportional hazards regression models and Kaplan–Meier analysis, alongside sensitivity analyses, to assess the impact of demographic factors, hypertension, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) on survival. Results: The study cohort included 10,125 patients, revealing a tenfold increase in PD prevalence during the study period. Mortality rates varied significantly, with the highest rates observed in the eldest age group (137.05 per 1000 person-years). PD contributed to a loss of 156.12 DALYs per 100,000 population, primarily driven by years of life lost. The analysis identified an increased risk of all-cause mortality among males (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.6; 1.5–1.8), older individuals (aHR 1.05; 1.04–1.06), those with higher CCIs, and individuals of Kazakh ethnicity. Interestingly, patients with comorbid hypertension had a higher probability of survival (aHR 0.67; 0.60–0.73). Conclusion: This study is the first of its kind in Central Asia to examine the burden of PD using a large-scale outpatient registry. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address the growing burden of PD, particularly among males and ethnic Kazakhs. Additionally, further research is needed to explore the inverse association between hypertension and survival in the PD cohort.