The risk of developing Parkinson’s disease is at least twice as high in people with anxiety compared to those without, notes a new study by UCL researchers. Published in the British Journal of General Practice, the research investigated the link between anxiety onset after age 50 and a subsequent Parkinson’s diagnosis.
The team analyzed UK primary care data from 2008 to 2018. They assessed 109,435 patients who developed anxiety after age 50, comparing them to 878,256 matched controls without anxiety. The researchers tracked Parkinson’s symptoms such as sleep problems, depression, tremor, and balance impairment from the time of anxiety diagnosis up to one year before a Parkinson’s diagnosis. This helped them understand the risk factors and the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s over time.
KEY FINDINGS
The study found that people with anxiety had a two-fold increased risk of developing Parkinson’s compared to the control group. The researchers confirmed that symptoms like depression, sleep disturbances, fatigue, cognitive impairment, hypotension, tremor, rigidity, balance issues, and constipation were significant risk factors for developing Parkinson’s in people with anxiety.
ADJUSTMENTS FOR ACCURACY
The results were adjusted for age, sex, social deprivation, lifestyle factors, severe mental illness, head trauma, and dementia to ensure accuracy. This comprehensive approach ensured that the increased risk was specifically linked to anxiety and not influenced by other potential risk factors.
Co-lead author Dr. Juan Bazo Avarez from UCL Epidemiology & Health commented, “Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative condition worldwide. Anxiety is known to be a feature of the early stages of Parkinson’s, but prior to our study, the prospective risk in those over 50 with new-onset anxiety was unknown. By understanding this link, we hope to detect Parkinson’s earlier and help patients get the treatment they need.”
PARKINSON’S DISEASE OVERVIEW
Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder caused by the death of nerve cells in the brain’s substantia nigra, which controls movement. These nerve cells lose the ability to produce dopamine due to the build-up of a protein called alpha-synuclein. Currently, Parkinson’s affects nearly 10 million people worldwide and is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder.
FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
A team led by UCL and University Medical Centre Goettingen, Germany, has developed a blood test using artificial intelligence to predict Parkinson’s up to seven years before symptoms appear. Co-lead author Professor Anette Schrag from UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology stated, “Anxiety is not as well researched as other early indicators of Parkinson’s. Further research should explore how early anxiety relates to other symptoms and the disease’s progression.”
The researchers suggest future studies should investigate why people over 50 with new-onset anxiety are more at risk and whether the severity of anxiety affects their outcomes.
