# Demographics, treatment patterns, and healthcare resource utilization in Parkinson's disease: a real-world data study using a claims database

## TL;DR

This study analyzes real-world data from Brazil's public healthcare system to describe Parkinson's disease patient demographics, treatment patterns, and healthcare resource use.

## Contribution

The study provides the first comprehensive analysis of PD treatment and resource utilization in Brazil's public healthcare system.

## Key findings

- Most PD patients had multiple outpatient visits and hospitalizations.
- Pramipexole was the most commonly used medication for PD treatment.
- The study highlights gaps in data integration for comprehensive PD care.

## Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with substantial disability, morbidity, and mortality. Timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to mitigate its impact. Despite its burden, real-world data on PD in Brazil remain limited.

To describe the demographic and clinical profile of individuals with PD treated in the Brazilian public healthcare system and to evaluate patterns of treatment and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU).

The present observational, retrospective, longitudinal study analyzed data from the Brazilian public healthcare system (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS, in Portuguese) between January 2013 and December 2022. Patients aged ≥ 20 years with at least 2 core procedures coded for PD (ICD-10 G20) were included. Inpatient and outpatient datasets were analyzed separately.

A total of 53,674 PD patients were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 65.4 years, with a slight male predominance (53.0%). Most patients (47.0%) had more than 6 outpatient visits, and 44.4% had 1 or 2 hospitalizations. The most frequent procedures were PD treatment (inpatient) and physical therapy (outpatient). The most used medications were pramipexole (45.6%), amantadine (26.0%), and entacapone (17.1%).

The present study provides valuable insights into the demographic and clinical profile of PD patients in Brazil, highlighting frequent procedures and treatment patterns. A key limitation is the non-capture of basic PD medications, such as levodopa, which are often dispensed outside the analyzed datasets. These findings underscore the need for improved data integration and access to comprehensive PD care within the public health system.