Meta-analysis of the relationship between Parkinson disease and melanoma

To assess the epidemiologic evidence on melanoma in relation to Parkinson disease (PD) via systematic review and meta-analysis.

Epidemiologic studies on melanoma and PD were searched using PubMed, Web of Science, Scoups, and Embase (1965 through June 2010). Eligible studies were those that reported risk estimates of melanoma among patients with PD or vice versa. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models.

We identified 12 eligible publications on melanoma and PD: 8 had fewer than 10 cases with both PD and melanoma, and 7 provided gender-specific results. The pooled OR was 2.11 (95% CI 1.26-3.54) overall, 2.04 (1.55-2.69) for men, and 1.52 (0.85-2.75) for women. Analyses by temporal relationship found that melanoma occurrence was significantly higher after the diagnosis of PD (OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.49-8.77), but not before PD diagnosis (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.62-1.84). Further analyses revealed that the lack of significance in the latter analysis was due to one study, which when excluded resulted in a significant association (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.06-1.96). We also analyzed nonmelanoma skin cancers in relation to PD and found no significant relationship (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.94-1.30).

Collective epidemiologic evidence supports an association of PD with melanoma. Further research is needed to examine the nature and mechanisms of this relationship.