Objective: To investigate the role of family, environmental and professional factors in Parkinson’s disease (PD) development.

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder with complex pathogenesis implicating both environmental and genetic factors.

Method: We conducted a case-control study comparing PD patients followed up at the Neurology department of Habib-Bourguiba hospital in Tunisia and age-gender matched controls. All participants filled out a standard questionnaire including family history, head injury, exposure to pesticides, drug use, caffeine or high dairy consumption and tobacco use.

Results: A total of 63 PD patients were included in our study 36 males (56,3%) and 27 females (42,2%). The average age was 57.84 ± 10.58 years with a mean disease duration of 5.53 ± 4.34 years. As compared to controls, PD patients showed that the family history of PD (p=0.001), history of head injury (p=0.04), exposure to pesticides and farming (p=0.02) and high dairy consumption were significantly associated with the onset of the disease. This study also found that the PD rate was lower for those who were using tobacco products. Physical activity as well as caffeine consumption are observed to lower PD risk. In our study, no statistical significance was observed on durg use and disease risk.

Conclusion: Etiology of PD is unknown, but interaction of some medical conditions and environmental factors is probably responsible for the development of PD. Further research is needed to determine additional risk factors.

« Back to 2024 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/risk-factors-of-parkinsons-disease-a-case-control-study-in-tunisian-patients/