Cardiovascular Events in Parkinson's Disease Patients

The study cohorts of interest will be identified from the most recent datacut of the IHCIS database. Individuals with one or more prescriptions of levodopa between 1st July 2004 and 30th June 2010 will be included. The date of the first prescription of levodopa in the study time period is defined as the INDEX DATE. All individuals must be on the database with medical and pharmacy benefit for at least 6 months prior to the INDEX DATE. All individuals must have one or more diagnosis codes for Parkinson's disease within the 6 months prior or 6 months post INDEX DATE. Individuals will be excluded if age is <20 years on the INDEX date. Individuals will also be excluded if they have a previous levodopa prescription prior to the INDEX date as only new users of levodopa are of interest.