Objective: To examine environmental and socioeconomic exposures associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in Saudi Arabia.
Background: PD is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Data on environmental determinants of PD have been insufficiently studied in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East.
Method: This cross-sectional study evaluated environmental, occupational, and socioeconomic exposures among individuals with PD in Saudi Arabia. A cumulative Exposure Burden Index (EBI) was constructed by summing reported environmental and occupational exposures. Descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations with young-onset PD (YOPD).
Results: A total of 554 patients with PD were included; 35.6% were classified as young-onset PD (YOPD, onset <50 years) and 64.4% as late-onset PD. The mean age at onset was 56.0 ± 11.8 years. The EBI was 3.05 ± 2.18, with 52.5% of participants classified as having high cumulative exposure (EBI ≥3). Pesticide exposure was reported by 28.7% of participants, agricultural proximity by 44.2%, well-water use by 39.2%, and Gulf War–related exposure by 22.4%. In multivariable analysis, pesticide exposure was independently associated with higher odds of YOPD (aOR 2.69, p=0.001), while well-water use was inversely associated with YOPD (aOR 0.37, p=0.001) (Table 1). Interaction analysis suggested possible effect modification between pesticide exposure and well-water use (p=0.058).
Conclusion: Pesticide exposure was independently associated with higher odds of YOPD in Saudi Arabia, with evidence of a dose–response relationship. In contrast, well-water use showed an unexpected inverse association with YOPD, warranting further investigation. These findings provide important insights for public health authorities to implement interventions to reduce pesticide exposure in agricultural and occupational settings.
MLR for Predictors of YOPD
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
S. Alshimemeri, A. Aldawood, F. Alabandi, L. Alabdaly, Y. Alsulaim, M. Maashi, S. Bashir, M. Alotaibi, S. Almuammar. Environmental Determinants of Parkinson’s Disease in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/environmental-determinants-of-parkinsons-disease-in-saudi-arabia-a-cross-sectional-study/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/environmental-determinants-of-parkinsons-disease-in-saudi-arabia-a-cross-sectional-study/