Type 2 Diabetes Tied to Higher Risk for Parkinson Disease

TUESDAY, March 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with an increased risk for Parkinson disease (PD), as well as more rapid PD progression, according to a review published online March 8 in Movement Disorders.

Harneek Chohan, from the Queen Mary University of London, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to identify studies investigating the association of T2DM with PD risk and progression. Then, summary data derived from genome-wide association studies were used to examine the causal effects of genetic liability toward T2DM on PD risk and progression.

The researchers found that pooled effect estimates showed that T2DM was associated with an increased risk for PD (odds ratio, 1.21), and there was some evidence that T2DM was associated with faster progression of motor symptoms (standardized mean difference, 0.55) and cognitive decline (standardized mean difference, −0.92). Using Mendelian randomization, there was supportive evidence for a causal effect of diabetes on PD risk (inverse-variance weighted method odds ratio, 1.08) and some evidence of an effect on motor progression (inverse-variance weighted method odds ratio, 1.10). However, there was no evidence of an association with cognitive progression.

“Careful screening for T2DM and early treatment of T2DM in PD patients may be advisable,” the authors write.

Two authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Abstract/Full Text