Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the risk of Parkinson disease.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce dopaminergic neuron degeneration in animal models of Parkinson disease (PD). However, no epidemiological data have been available on NSAID use and the risk of PD.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate prospectively whether the use of nonaspirin NSAIDs or aspirin is associated with decreased PD risk.

DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS:

Prospective cohorts of 44 057 men and 98 845 women free of PD, stroke, or cancer (Health Professionals Follow-up Study, 1986-2000, and Nurses' Health Study, 1980-1998). Main Outcome Measure Newly diagnosed PD.

RESULTS:

We documented 415 incident PD cases (236 men and 179 women). Participants who reported regular use of nonaspirin NSAIDs at the beginning of the study had a lower risk of PD than nonregular users during the follow-up; the pooled multivariate relative risk was 0.55 (95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.96, P =.04). Compared with nonusers, a nonsignificantly lower risk of PD was also observed among men and women who took 2 or more tablets of aspirin per day (relative risk, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-1.21).

CONCLUSION:

These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that use of NSAIDs may delay or prevent the onset of PD.

• Authors: Honglei Chen, Shumin M Zhang, Miguel A Hernán, Michael A Schwarzschild, Walter C Willett, Graham A Colditz, Frank E Speizer, Alberto Ascherio
• Journal: Archives of neurology (Arch Neurol) Vol. 60 Issue 8 Pg. 1059-64 (Aug 2003) ISSN: 0003-9942 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12925360 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Acetaminophen
• Aspirin

Topics

• Acetaminophen (pharmacology)
• Adult
• Aged
• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic (pharmacology)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (pharmacology)
• Aspirin (pharmacology)
• Cohort Studies
• Confidence Intervals
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multivariate Analysis
• Parkinson Disease (drug therapy)
• Prospective Studies
• Risk Factors