Cardiovascular history and risk of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease: a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Acharya Shubhra , Lumley Andrew I. , Devaux Yvan ,   NCER-PD Consortium, Ali Muhammad , Ramia Nancy E. , Arena Giuseppe , Balling Rudi , Bassis Michele , Becker Regina , Boussaad Ibrahim , Gawron Piotr , Ghosh Soumyabrata , Glaab Enrico , De Lope Elisa Gómez , Groues Valentin , Grünewald Anne , Gu Wei , Heneka Michael , Herzinger Sascha , Lebioda Jacek Jaroslaw , Jaroz Yohan , Klopfenstein Quentin , Landoulsi Zied , Marques Tainá M. , Conde Patricia Martins , May Patrick , Meisch Francoise , Nickels Sarah , Ostaszewski Marek , Gomes Clarissa P. C. , Pachchek Sinthuja , Rauschenberger Armin , Rawal Rajesh , Bobbili Dheeraj Reddy , Roomp Kirsten , Rosety Isabel , Sapienza Stefano , Satagopam Venkata , Schmitz Sabine , Schneider Reinhard , Schwamborn Jens , Soboleva Ekaterina , Loo Rebecca Ting Jiin , Trefois Christophe , Vega Carlos , Vyas Maharshi , Wilmes Paul , Wollscheid-Lengeling Evi , Klucken Jochen , Krüger Rejko , Pauly Claire , Pavelka Lukas , Hansen Linda , van Cutsem Gilles , Acharya Geeta , Aguayo Gloria , Alexandre Myriam , Ammerlann Wim , Beaumont Katy , Bellora Camille , Calmes Jessica , Castillo Lorieza , Contesotto Gessica , Esteves Daniela , Fagherazzi Guy , Ferrand Jean-Yves , Giraitis Marijus , Graas Jérôme , Hammot Gaël , Hanff Anne-Marie , Henry Estelle , Heymann Michael , Hundt Alexander , Jónsdóttir Sonja , Lambert Pauline , Lorentz Victoria , Lupu Paula Cristina , Marques Guilherme , Mcintyre Deborah , Mediouni Chouaib , Menster Myriam , Minelli Maura , Nehrbass Ulf , Noor Fozia , Perquin Magali , Lima Rosalina Ramos , Rosales Eduardo , Sandt Estelle , Schmitt Margaux , Sharify Amir , Sokolowska Kate , Thien Hermann , Trouet Johanna , Tsurkalenko Olena , Vaillant Michel , Valenti Mesele , Berchem Guy , Diederich Nico , Boas Liliana Vilas , Zelimkhanov Gelani , Longhino Laura , Nati Romain , Nicolai Beatrice , Thiry Elodie , Mühlschlegel Friedrich , Bisdorff Alexandre , Dondelinger Rene , Herbrink Sylvia , Lentz Roseline , Hu Michele , Wade-Martins Richard , Mackay Clare , Berg Daniela , Brockmann Kathrin , Gasser Thomas , Liepelt Inga , Mollenhauer Brit , Marcus Katrin , Liszka Robert , Maetzler Walter , Graziano Mariella , Jacoby Nadine , Nicolay Jean-Paul , Pauly Laure , Mittelbronn Michel 
Published: July 2024

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD), while often associated with its distinctive motor symptoms, can also exert a notable impact on the cardiovascular system due to the development of severe autonomic dysfunction. One of the initial indicators of PD is the appearance of cardiovascular dysautonomia. As such, it is vital to monitor and manage cardiovascular health of individuals with PD, as it may have clinical implications in the development of commonly recognized motor and non-motor aspects of the disease. To study the association of history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with occurrence and severity of PD, here, we lend data on the association of CVD history with the frequency and the occurrence of idiopathic PD (iPD) using data from the Luxembourg Parkinson’s study (iPD n = 676 patients and non-PD n = 874 controls).

Results

We report that patients with a history of CVD are at high risk of developing iPD (odds ratio; OR = 1.56, 95% confidence interval; CI 1.09–2.08). This risk is stronger in males and remains significant after adjustment with confounders (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.05–2.30). This increased susceptibility to iPD is linked to the severity of iPD symptoms mainly the non-motor symptoms of daily living (MDS-UPDRS I) and motor complications (MDS-UPDRS IV) in the affected individuals.

Conclusion

Individuals with history of CVD have a high risk of developing severe forms of iPD. This observation suggests that careful monitoring and management of patients with a history of cardiac problems may reduce the burden of iPD.