Hepatitis B and C virus infection as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease in Israel-A nationwide cohort study

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Lilach Goldstein1, Haya Fogel-Grinvald2, Israel Steiner1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|February 3, 2019
PubMed

Insights

This study found a minor increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Liver disease, rather than viral infection, may be a risk factor for PD.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Hepatology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are significant global health concerns.
  • Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
  • The potential association between viral hepatitis and PD requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between HCV, HBV, and PD in Israel.
  • To compare the prevalence of PD in patients with HCV, HBV, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) against a reference cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study utilizing the Clalit Healthcare Service database in Israel.
  • Construction of cohorts for HCV, HBV, and NASH patients.
  • Comparison of PD prevalence between these cohorts and a general reference population.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of PD in Israel was 0.5%.
  • HCV-positive patients showed a slightly increased odds ratio (OR) for PD (1.18, 95% CI: 1.04-1.35).
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and co-infection with HCV and HBV did not show a significant association with increased PD risk.

Conclusions:

  • HCV infection is associated with a minor increased risk of PD.
  • Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) also showed an increased risk for PD, suggesting liver disease itself might be a risk factor.
  • The findings indicate a potential link between liver disease and PD, possibly due to cirrhosis-induced parkinsonism misclassified as PD.
Abstract

Keywords:
Hepatitis B virusHepatitis C virusParkinson's diseasePrevalenceRisk factor

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