NEW STUDY ADDS TO EVIDENCE OF SMOKING PROTECTION AGAINST PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Hellenbrand W, Seidler A, Robra B-P, Vieregge P, Oertel WH, Joerg J, Nischan P, Schneider E, Ulm G. Smoking and Parkinson's disease: a case control study in Germany. Int J Epidemiol 1997 Apr;26(2):328-339. 380 PD patients, aged 65 years or less at diagnosis. Ever smoking OR 0.5 (95% CIs 0.3-0.7), P<0.00005; current smoking 0.2 (95% CIs 0.1-0.4), versus never smoking. Dose-response found for pack-years. "The OR for ex-smokers did not differ significantly from unity, which is explained mathematically by the proportionately higher number of ex-smokers among ever-smoking PD patients."

"However, prospective data support an intermediate incidence in ex-smokers, thus also suggesting a dose-response relationship. This suggests that the association is not spurious, and would be especially relevant if there were a substance that protected people from PD in cigarette smoke." Detailed analysis, and careful discussion of epidemiologic criteria of causality.

Courtesy of Carol Thompson
4-27-98
Smokers' Rights Action Group
P.O. Box 259575
Madison, WI 53725-9575
Phone: 608-249-4568