Disease burden of neurodegenerative disorders in Taiwan

With global aging, neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), have become major public health concerns. However, the evaluation of their burden trends in Taiwan is lacking. We assessed temporal and geographic trends in the burden of AD with other dementias and PD in Taiwan from 2000 to 2021, stratified by age, sex, and region.

Data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) and National Death Registry were analyzed for 2000-2021. Case definitions for Alzheimer's disease with other dementias (ADODs) and Parkinson's disease (PD) followed Global Burden of Disease 2021 criteria and were identified using ICD codes. Fatal burden was assessed using the National Death Registry. Disease burden was quantified by years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), with additional geographic mapping to visualize regional variations.

Between 2000 and 2021, age-standardized prevalence rose sharply for ADODs (+885 %) and PD (+394 %), while mortality increased by 116 % and 31 %, respectively; incidence remained stable. DALY rates grew by 258 % for ADODs and 86 % for PD, mainly driven by rising YLDs. The greatest burden was among those aged ≥80 years, with ADODs and PD DALYs increasing by 357 % and 147 %, respectively. Geographically, the highest age-standardized DALYs for ADODs and PD were found in the Southern Taiwan.

The prevalence and health burden of ADODs and PD have increased substantially in Taiwan despite declining incidence, posing growing challenges to the aging population.