A Swedish county with unexpectedly high utilization of anti-parkinsonian drugs

This report is based on the use of L-dopa-containing drugs within 24 Swedish counties in the period 1977-1984. The mean utilization of these drugs in Sweden in 1984 was 1.46 defined daily doses (DDD)/day X 10(3) inhabitants (inh). As Parkinson's disease is virtually the only condition for which these drugs are prescribed, it seems highly probable that the determining factor for their use today is the prevalence of the disease. The exceptionally high utilization (2.34 DDD/day X 10(3) inh) of L-dopa-containing drugs in the county of Gävleborg, warranted further analyses of subareas in this particular county. The use is discussed in relation to environmental factors.