HES on... Huntington's disease

What is Huntington's disease?

Huntington's disease is an inherited disease of the brain. There is no cure, but much can be done to help families.

The disease damages some of the nerve cells in the brain, causing deterioration and gradual loss of function of areas of the brain. This affects movement, cognition (perception, awareness, thinking, judgement) and behaviour.

Who does it affect?

NHS Choices states that:

• both men and women with a family history of Huntington's can inherit the disease. Symptoms usually start to show during adulthood.
• UK studies have found that approximately 6-7 people per 100,000 are affected by Huntington's disease.

The data below shows the number of hospital episodes for Huntington's disease but it should be noted that only severe or complicated cases are likely to be treated in hospital.

HES facts and figures

HES data on Huntington's Disease (ICD-10 G10 Huntington's Disease, F02.2 Dementia in Huntington's Disease) for 2009-10 shows the following:

• there were 446 finished consultant episodes
• 53% (157) of admissions were emergency admissions
• 52% (233) of finished consultant episodes were female
• Huntingtons accounted for 20,326 FCE bed days.

More information on this topic is available from NHS Choices here.