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Multiple sclerosis and risk of Parkinson's disease: a Danish nationwide cohort study

N M Nielsen1, B Pasternak, E Stenager

  • 1Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.

European Journal of Neurology
|September 24, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study found no increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The research analyzed nationwide Danish registry data, concluding that MS does not appear to elevate PD risk.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Co-occurrence of multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD) has been reported.
  • Hypotheses suggest MS lesions may impact dopaminergic pathways, potentially causing parkinsonism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
  • Utilize a historically prospective cohort study design with Danish nationwide register data.

Main Methods:

  • Identified MS patients from the Multiple Sclerosis Registry.
  • Followed MS patients for PD incidence from 1977 to 2011 using the National Patient Register.
  • Calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess relative risk.

Main Results:

  • Observed 26 PD cases among 15,557 MS patients versus 26.51 expected (SIR 0.98, 95% CI 0.67-1.44).
  • No increased PD risk was found in female (SIR 0.99) or male (SIR 0.97) MS patients.
  • A robustness analysis, adjusting for a 5-year diagnostic time lag, also showed no increased risk (SIR 0.57, 95% CI 0.32-1.00).

Conclusions:

  • The study's findings do not support an increased risk of Parkinson's disease in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
  • Data indicates no significant association between MS and the development of PD.
Keywords:
Parkinson's diseasedemyelinating diseasesmultiple sclerosisneurological disorders

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