Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
Volume 111, Issue 10 , Pages 812-815, December 2009

Prevalence of Parkinson's disease in Northern Jordan

  • Ali Alrefai

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neuroscience, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: PO Box 3030, Irbid Jordan 22110. Fax: +962 27200621.
    • ,
  • Majed Habahbih

      Affiliations

    • King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan
    • ,
  • Mohammad Alkhawajah

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neuroscience, King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan
    • ,
  • Mohammad Darwish

      Affiliations

    • Princess Basma Hospital, Irbid, Jordan
    • ,
  • Waleed Batayha

      Affiliations

    • Princess Basma Hospital, Irbid, Jordan
    • ,
  • Yousef Khader

      Affiliations

    • Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
    • ,
  • Khalid El-Salem

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neuroscience, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan

Received 15 October 2008; received in revised form 10 August 2009; accepted 11 August 2009.

Abstract 

Background

The prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) in Jordan is not known. This study describes the prevalence and clinical characteristics of PD in Northern Jordan.

Methods

Patients with the diagnosis of PD seen at neurology clinics in three major hospitals in Northern Jordan during the period of March 2007 to April 2008 were enrolled. PD diagnosis was established using predefined clinical diagnostic criteria.

Results

A total of 102 patients were included in the analysis (64 males; 63%, 38 females 37%). The mean age (SD) of patients was 63.3 (10.1) years and the mean age for onset of symptoms (SD) was 59.5 (12.1) years. The crude prevalence rate of PD was estimated to be 59/100,000. Clinical presentations of PD at onset of disease included; rest tremor (79.2%), bradykinesia (28.7%), rigidity (6.9%), gait problem (5%), and postural instability (2%). Eleven patients (10.9%) had a family history of PD. There was no association between the age of symptom onset, the presence of tremor, bradykinesia, or rigidity at onset, with stage of PD measured by Hoehn and Yahr scale.

Conclusion

PD is a moderately prevalent disease in Jordan. The clinical characteristics of PD patients are similar to those reported in other countries.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Parkinson's disease, Prevalence, Jordan

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PII: S0303-8467(09)00220-0

doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2009.08.010

Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
Volume 111, Issue 10 , Pages 812-815, December 2009

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