In a retrospective cohort study using data pulled from the Korean National Health Insurance Service, researchers found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis had a higher chance of developing Parkinson’s disease and that patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis had an even greater risk. These results were published by Kang et al in JAMA Neurology. Compared with controls, patients with rheumatoid arthritis had a 1.74-fold higher chance of developing Parkinson’s disease; seropositivity but not seronegativity was associated with an increased risk. Though the mechanistic link between the two conditions has yet to be determined, researchers offered several hypotheses, including microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. The study authors advised, “Physicians should be aware of the elevated risk of Parkinson’s disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and promptly refer patients to a neurologist at onset of early motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease without synovitis.”
May 31, 2023