Growing Number of Neurological Disorder Diagnoses
Neurological disorders are rising within the Nordic region in terms of diagnosed patients with diseases including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and refractory epilepsy; there is increased use of DBS devices. The healthcare system in countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland is structured and well-organized, providing patients access to neurological assessment and identification of movement disorders. At specialized centers like Oslo University Hospital and Karolinska University Hospital, DBS is one of the steps involved in advanced Parkinson's disease care.
One reason for the increased number of diagnoses is the aging demographic nature of the population in the Nordic region, especially in Sweden and Finland. Life expectancy in these two Nordic nations is amongst the highest in Europe, implying more people with neurodegenerative problems, hence the need for advanced treatment. There is a well-functioning referral mechanism ensuring that all individuals suffering from complications associated with medication end up at specialized facilities.
In addition, high awareness levels among neurologists and the broad availability of standardized treatment pathways help reinforce high rates of diagnoses. The presence of developed national health registries and neurological networks is also favorable for Nordic countries in terms of managing cases of Parkinson's disease patients. In this regard, more cases are currently diagnosed at an early stage, qualifying the patients for DBS devices.
Expansion of Closed-Loop and Adaptive DBS Platforms
In the Nordic region, there is a growing trend towards more sophisticated neuromodulation devices, especially those involving adaptive and closed-loop stimulations, where the therapy adjusts itself according to real-time feedback. While conventional DBS devices have been extensively employed, there is a move towards employing advanced DBS systems in hospitals in countries such as Sweden and Norway.
In addition to the development in the USA, some top-rated centers in Scandinavia, namely, Uppsala, Stockholm, and Copenhagen, have recently embraced the use of directional leads along with rechargeable implantable pulse generators to increase flexibility in programming and prolong the duration of use of devices. It should be mentioned that this approach is consistent with the general principles of providing quality care in these countries based on evidence.
The digitalization of treatment can be considered yet another trend, as more advanced remote programming and follow-up techniques are implemented in order to adjust the level of electrical brain stimulation without the need for repeated patient visits to the hospital. Such an approach is especially effective in regions of Norway and Finland where patients live at considerable distances from hospitals.
