2023-08-28 11:01:42
Gut Problems Could Indicate Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease, Study Finds
A recent study conducted by a US research group has found that certain gut problems, such as constipation, difficulty swallowing, and irritable bowel syndrome, can potentially serve as early signs of Parkinson’s disease. The study, published in the journal Gut, compared data from more than 24,000 individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s to those of 19,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s, 23,000 with stroke, and 24,000 healthy individuals.
The findings revealed a significant connection between four intestinal diseases and Parkinson’s disease. In particular, the presence of delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and constipation were more than twice as likely to be observed in individuals who developed Parkinson’s within the five years following diagnosis. Additionally, irritable bowel syndrome without diarrhea was associated with a 17 percent increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Interestingly, the study also showed that removal of the appendix appeared to have a protective effect against Parkinson’s.
Furthermore, the study noted that other gut problems, such as bloating without an apparent cause, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, and fecal incontinence, were more commonly observed in individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and stroke.
Although this study is observational in nature and does not establish causation, the researchers conclude that it provides significant evidence to suggest that the clinical diagnosis of constipation, dysphagia, gastroparesis, and irritable bowel syndrome without diarrhea could potentially predict the development of Parkinson’s disease.
It is important to note that further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between gut problems and Parkinson’s disease. Nevertheless, these findings open up new possibilities for early detection and intervention in individuals at risk of developing Parkinson’s.
The study is an important step in shedding light on the potential link between gut health and neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. Understanding the connections between the gut and the brain could offer new avenues for prevention and treatment strategies in the future.
Reference:
DOI 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-329685]
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