The association between lifestyle factors and Parkinson's disease progression and mortality

Abstract

Background: Lifestyle factors may contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease, but little is known about factors that influence progression. The objective of the current study was to examine whether caffeine or alcohol consumption, physical activity, or cigarette smoking is associated with progression and survival among PD patients. Methods: We assessed lifelong coffee, tea, and alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity in a prospective community-based cohort (n = 360). All patients were passively followed for mortality (2001–2016); 244 were actively followed on average ± SD 5.3 ± 2.1 years (2007–2014). Movement disorder specialists repeatedly assessed motor function (Hoehn & Yahr) and cognition (Mini-Mental State Exam). We used Cox proportional hazards models and inverse probability weights to account for censoring. Results: Coffee, caffeinated tea, moderate alcohol consumption, and physical activity were protective against at least 1 outcome. Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption were associated with increased risks. Coffee was protective against time to Hoehn & Yahr stage 3 (hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.28–1.01), cognitive decline (hazard ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.11,0.48), and mortality (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.32–0.69). Relative to moderate drinkers, those who never drank liquor and those who drank more heavily were at an increased risk of Hoehn & Yahr 3 (hazard ratio, 3.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.90–6.38; and hazard ratio, 2.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.03, 4.54, respectively). A history of competitive sports was protective against cognitive decline (hazard ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.22–0.96) and Hoehn & Yahr 3 (hazard ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.23–0.79), as was physical activity measured by metabolic-equivalent hours. Current cigarette smoking was associated with faster cognitive decline (hazard ratio, 3.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–10.01). Conclusions: This population-based study suggests that lifestyle factors influence PD progression and mortality.

Role of Alcohol Drinking in Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

“…Lifestyle factors, including caffeine or alcohol consumption, physical activity or cigarette smoking may contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease. Relative to moderate drinkers, those who never drank liquor and those who drank more heavily were at an increased risk of Hoehn and Yahr 3 (hazard ratio, 3.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.90-6.38; and hazard ratio, 2.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.03, 4.54, respectively) [79]. Zhang et al [36] published a meta-analysis of the observational studies regarding the link between alcohol intake and PD.…”

Age at Onset ofLRRK2p.Gly2019SerIs Related to Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

“…6 Slower progression of motor and non-motor symptoms has been shown for coffee consumers in a longitudinal study. 9 By contrast, with regard to environmental factors affecting PD, pesticide exposure is associated with an increased risk. 6,10 The relationship of environmental and lifestyle factors on age at onset (AAO) of LRRK2 p.Gly2019Ser has not been thoroughly investigated.…”

Endurance exercise reduces cortisol in Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment

“…Dysregulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis, evidenced by hypersecretion of cortisol, is implicated in such nonmotor symptoms, and elevated levels of cortisol have been documented in PD, especially in the morning . Participation in physical activity may reduce the risk and rate of progression of PD, and endurance exercise may reduce the rate at which the signs of PD progress . Because physical fitness and long‐term physical activity are associated with attenuated cortisol secretion in healthy participants, we undertook a feasibility study to examine the effects of high‐intensity endurance exercise on diurnal salivary cortisol secretion (as well as measures of cognition, structural and functional brain imaging, and blood‐derived biomarkers) in patients with PD with mild cognitive impairment (PD‐MCI).…”