Beijing, May 04: Nearly 1.7 million Chinese are suffering from Parkinson's disease, accounting for nearly half of the total four million patients globally, a survey made by Chinese experts showed.

The survey, published in the newly issued Lancet, is made by an expert of the Beijing Union Medical College Hospital, Zhang Zhenxin.

According to the survey, the incidence of Parkinsonism for Chinese men over 60 years old is 1.7 per cent, while that for female over 60 is 1.6 per cent, compared to the world average of 10 per cent.

Many patients confirmed during the survey have never got any diagnosis or treatment, the report said.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous disease occurring most often after the age of 50 and characterised by muscular rigidity, tremor, and impaired motor control.