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Autoimmune disease and risk for Parkinson disease: a population-based case-control study
1Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. rugbjerg@cancer.dk
Neurology
|September 25, 2009
Summary
Autoimmune diseases do not increase the risk for Parkinson disease (PD). However, rheumatoid arthritis showed a decreased risk, possibly due to anti-inflammatory treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Autoimmune diseases involve increased inflammatory mediators, potentially affecting brain health.
- Microglial activation and dopaminergic neuron degeneration are implicated in Parkinson disease (PD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if autoimmune diseases elevate the risk of developing Parkinson disease (PD).
Main Methods:
- A population-based case-control study in Denmark (1986-2006) included 13,695 PD patients and matched controls.
- Exposure was defined as a hospital diagnosis of 32 selected autoimmune diseases at least 5 years prior to PD diagnosis.
Main Results:
- No overall association was found between autoimmune disease diagnosis and subsequent PD risk (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.85-1.08).
- A reduced PD risk (30%) was observed in patients with autoimmune diseases involving systemic inflammation, notably rheumatoid arthritis.
Conclusions:
- The study does not support the hypothesis that autoimmune diseases increase Parkinson disease risk.
- The observed decreased risk for PD in rheumatoid arthritis patients may be linked to underdiagnosis or protective effects of anti-inflammatory drug treatments.
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