Effect of modifiable risk factors in Parkinson’s disease: A case-control study looking at common dietary factors, toxicants, and anti-inflammatory medications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-8-2021

Abstract

Objective: To investigate how common modifiable exposures, including dietary factors, select toxicants, and anti-inflammatory medications, may affect Parkinson’s disease.

Methods: Using surveys, a case-control study was conducted at a medical center, comparing Parkinson’s disease patients (N  =  149) and healthy controls (N  =  105). Subjects reported exposure to red meats, vegetables, alcohol, tobacco, anti-inflammatory medications, and pesticides. The relationship between exposures and Parkinson’s disease diagnosis was analyzed by logistic regression to generate odds ratio and 95% confidence interval.

Results: Consuming red meat “sometimes” or “always” was positively associated with Parkinson’s disease as compared to eating red meats “rarely” or “never”; (odds ratio  =   2.15, 95% confidence interval   =   1.06, 4.39; p  =  0.03) and (odds ratio   =   4.47, 95% confidence interval   =   1.67, 11.94; p  =  0.003), respectively. Exposure to pesticides showed a positive association with Parkinson’s disease (odds ratio  =   2.84, 95% confidence interval   =   1.34, 6.00; p  =  0.007). “Always” use of aspirin was inversely associated with Parkinson’s disease (odds ratio  =   0.32, 95% confidence interval   =   0.14, 0.70; p  =  0.004). “Ever” having used anti-histamines was inversely associated with Parkinson’s disease (odds ratio  =   0.37, 95% confidence interval  =  0.17, 0.81; p  =  0.01).

Discussion: Our study suggests that there are modifiable external factors that are associated with Parkinson’s disease. The present study can thus assist clinicians, policy makers, and people living with Parkinson’s disease in improving the experience and management of Parkinson’s disease.

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© The Author(s) 2021

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Publication Title

Chronic Illness

Published Citation

Sherman S, Goldfinger M, Morris A, Harper B, Leder A, Santella AJ, Krishnamachari B. Effect of modifiable risk factors in Parkinson’s disease: A case-control study looking at common dietary factors, toxicants, and anti-inflammatory medications. Chronic Illness. 2022;18(4):849-859. doi:10.1177/17423953211039789

DOI

10.1177/17423953211039789

Peer Reviewed

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