Rheumatoid arthritis associated with increased risk of Parkinson's disease: JAMA

A recent retrospective study from South Korea has shed light on the possible connection between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Parkinson's disease (PD). While it has long been speculated that chronic inflammation caused by RA may contribute to the development of PD, Jihun Kang and peers aimed to determine the association between the two conditions. The findings of the study were published in the Journal American Medical Association.

The study, which utilized data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, included 119,788 patients who were diagnosed with RA between 2010 and 2017. These patients were followed up until 2019, with a median follow-up period of 4.3 years. After applying various exclusion criteria, a total of 54,680 patients with RA were included in the analysis, along with a control group of 273,400 individuals without RA.

The findings revealed that participants with RA had a 1.74-fold higher risk of developing PD compared to the control group. Furthermore, the risk was higher in patients with seropositive RA (SPRA) compared to those with seronegative RA (SNRA).

Patients with SPRA had a 1.95-fold increased risk of PD, while there was no significant increase in risk observed for patients with SNRA. Additionally, the risk of PD was found to be significantly higher in the SPRA group compared to the SNRA group.

These results suggest that RA is associated with an elevated risk of PD, particularly in patients with seropositive RA. The study emphasizes the importance of physicians being vigilant about the increased risk of PD in patients with RA, urging them to refer patients to a neurologist as soon as early motor symptoms of PD without synovitis are detected.

The study's findings contribute to a better understanding of the potential link between RA and PD. Although further research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms underlying this association, the study highlights the importance of early detection and intervention for PD in patients with RA. By recognizing the elevated risk, healthcare providers can take proactive measures to provide timely care and management for their patients, potentially improving outcomes and quality of life for those affected by both conditions.

Source:

Kang, J., Eun, Y., Jang, W., Cho, M. H., Han, K., Jung, J., Kim, Y., Kim, G., Shin, D. W., & Kim, H. (2023). Rheumatoid Arthritis and Risk of Parkinson Disease in Korea. In JAMA Neurology (Vol. 80, Issue 6, p. 634). American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.0932