In a recent study published in The British Journal of General Practice , researchers investigated Parkinson's disease (PD) risk among individuals with new-onset anxiety and associated risk factors. Anxiety problems are common among older individuals, frequently beginning early in life and connected to cognitive impairment. PD has the second-highest prevalence rate among neurodegenerative disorders worldwide, causing symptoms of motor and non-motor type.
Anxiety is more prevalent in PD patients, but the PD risk in individuals aged 50 years and above with incident anxiety is unclear. Previous research indicating that anxiety or anxiolytic prescriptions increased the risk of developing Parkinson's disease failed to account for lifestyle characteristics, socioeconomic position, and prodromal aspects. The Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS) examined PD incidence over 12 years among male and predominantly White healthcare personnel.
In the present retrospective cohort study, researchers evaluated Parkinson's disease incidence among individuals aged 50 years and above presenting with and without anxiety. They also explored clinical signs and symptoms that may increase PD risk among anxious individuals. The researchers examined primary care data from the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2018, focusing on individuals over the age of 50 who had experienced incident anxiety.
They obtained IQVIA Medical Research Data (IMRD), comprising de-identified information of The Health Improveme.
