Background: Based on the promising results from preclinical studies, bee venom has been investigated as a neuroprotective agent in Parkinson's disease. Objective: To assess if longstanding exposure to bee venom is associated with decreased risk for Parkinson's disease among beekeepers. Methods: Questionnaire gathering information about diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and exposure to bee stings was posted to 6500 members of Slovenian beekeepers' organisation.Results: We received 1298 responses (response rate 20.1%). Twenty beekeepers, all older than 60 years, were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The prevalence of Parkinson's disease in beekeepers aged ≥60 years was 3.9%, which is above the reported 0.6-1.3% prevalence of PD in this age group in European population. There was no difference in parameters reflecting bee venom exposure between beekeepers with and without Parkinson's disease. Conclusions: Continuous exposure to bee venom does not affect neurodegeneration to the extent where it could prevent the expression of Parkinson's disease.
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