The number of neurological disorders in the United States has increased from 1990 to 2017 with variation in the burden and trend, according to a recent study published in JAMA Neurology (2020;e204152. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.4152).
“Accurate and up-to-date estimates on incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (burden) of neurological disorders are the backbone of evidence-based health care planning and resource allocation for these disorders,” explained the study authors. “It appears that no such estimates have been reported at the state level for the US.”
Data on incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were gathered from a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease 2017. Fourteen major neurological diseases were analyzed, and absolute numbers in detail by age, sex, and age-standardized rates were calculated.
In terms of absolute number of DALYs, the 3 most burdensome neurological disorders were stroke, Alzheimer disease and other dementias, and migraine. The burden of almost all neurological disorders increased from 1990 to 2017. An aging population contributed to the increase in numbers. A higher burden for selected neurological disorders was specific by region.
“There is a large and increasing burden of noncommunicable neurological disorders in the US, with up to a 5-fold variation in the burden of and trends in particular neurological disorders across the US states,” concluded the study authors. “The information reported in this article can be used by health care professionals and policy makers at the national and state levels to advance their health care planning and resource allocation to prevent and reduce the burden of neurological disorders.”—Lisa Kuhns
