EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES AS A RISK FACTOR FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is an idiopathic chronic neurodegenerative disorder. Pesticides and correlated lifestyle factors (e.g., exposure to ground-water and farming) are reported risk factors for Parkinson's disease (PD).Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate if pesticides exposure has a significant association of Parkinson's disease. Materials and Methods: The research design of this study was a case control study carried out in Aswan University Hospital in the period from May 1st 2016 to 30th April 2017. This study was done on 50 Parkinson's patients exposed to pesticides (case group) and 50 age and sex- matched subjects with non Parkinson's and non occupational pesticides exposure (control group). Associations of direct pesticide application, ground-water consumption, and farming residences/occupations with PD were obtained. Pseudocholinesterase enzyme level was measured among cases and control groups. Results: Data showed that cases were consisted of 31 male and 19 female; average age (±SD) was 51.9 (±8.1) years old. The results showed that the mean serum cholinesterase enzyme level in the case group(3305.4 ± 1894.2 U/L) was lower than those of the control group (5430 ± 1477.5 U/L). No significant association was observed between the level of pseudocholinesterase enzyme and age, sex distribution of the case group. Duration of pesticides exposure in the case group was significantly associated with PChE levels. Uses of pesticides safety measures by the case group was significantly associated with PChE levels. Conclusion: This study described an association between Long- term exposure to cholinesterase inhibiting agricultural pesticides and PD, especially in areas with high pesticides use.