9 Sept 2024 • Is upper gastrointestinal mucosal damage associated with increased risk of subsequent Parkinson disease (PD) diagnosis?

A new study of 9,350 patients has revealed a striking association between upper gastrointestinal mucosal damage (MD) and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD).

• Patients with MD, identified through upper endoscopy, faced a 76% higher risk of a subsequent PD diagnosis compared to those without MD.
• The research, conducted over an average follow-up period of nearly 15 years, suggests that patients with MD, particularly those with additional risk factors like constipation and dysphagia, should be monitored more closely for potential PD onset.

Ongoing vigilance in patients with a history of upper gastrointestinal damage is recommended.

Source: JAMA | Read full story