October 15, 1998
To the editor:
I am writing to request clarification of statistical data presented in The
New England Journal of Medicine 1998;339:1105-1111, an article entitled
"Brain Surgery Helps Severe Parkinson's."
The reason this is an important issue to those of us with Parkinson's is
that data like these, promulgated by such a respected journal, has a way of
becoming accepted by those dealing with it. In our case it can be used to
sway political decisions regarding government research funding.
The article states: "About 7 million people around the world have
Parkinson's disease, which usually strikes after age 60, causing
progressive tremor, muscle rigidity and other movement problems."
First, what is the source for a PD population of 7 million "around the world?"
If, as is frequently stated, up to 1.5 million have PD in this country,
with a population of only 290 million people, how can there be only 7
million with the disease in a world of about 6 billion people? About 4.5%
of the world's poulation has 21.4% of the world's Parkinson's population?
Second, what is the source for the conclusion that Parkinson's "...usually
strikes after age 60."
All these years, based primarily on personal observation, I had thought
that the oft-repeated average of 57 AT DIAGNOSIS was far too old. Now we
are told that the disease STRIKES "after age 60." Clearly, I and most
everyone I know with the disease must have been preemies. I was diagnosed
at 57, but I now know that the disease had "struck" - atrophy of right
bicep, cold hand, stiff and sore fingers - at least seven years previous.
We look forward to receiving your reply.
Sincerely,
Bob Dolezal
Parkinson's Advocate
