Multiple risk factors for Parkinson's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relative contribution of various risk factors to the development of Parkinson's disease (PD).


METHODS
Ten variables that were independently associated with PD in a health system population-based case-control study of epidemiological risk factors for the disease were jointly assessed. Stepwise logistic regression, adjusted for sex, race and age was used to develop a multiple variate model that best predicted the presence of PD. The population attributable risk was estimated for each variable in the final model, as well as for all factors together.


RESULTS
The 10 initial variables included >20 years occupational exposure to manganese or to copper, individually; >20 years joint occupational exposure to either lead and copper, copper and iron, or lead and iron; a positive family history of PD in first- or second-degree relatives; occupational exposure to insecticides or herbicides; occupational exposure to farming; and smoking. Logistic regression resulted in a final model that included >20 years joint occupational exposure to lead and copper (p=0.009; population attributable risk [PAR]=3.9%), occupational exposure to insecticides (p=0.002; PAR=8.1%), a positive family history of PD in first- and second-degree relatives (p=0.001; PAR=12.4%), and smoking </=30 pack-years or not smoking (p=0.005; PAR=41.4%). All four variables combined had a PAR=54.1%.


CONCLUSIONS
Our final model of PD risk suggests that occupational, environmental lifestyle and, likely, genetic factors, individually and collectively, play a significant role in the etiology of the disease. Clearly, additional risk factors remain to be determined through future research.
Gorell
Jay M
JM
Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health Sciences Center, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA. gorell@neuro.hfh.edu
Peterson
Edward L
EL
Rybicki
Benjamin A
BA
Johnson
Christine Cole
CC
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D007306:Insecticides; D008670:Metals; D010575:Pesticides