Previous findings on the association of statins, plasma lipids, and Parkinson’s disease are confounded by the fact that statins also affect lipid profiles. We prospectively examined plasma lipids and statin use in relation to Parkinson’s disease in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.
Methods
Statin use and plasma lipids were assessed at baseline (Visit 1, 1987–89) and at three triennial visits thereafter (Visits 2–4) until 1998. Potential Parkinson’s cases were identified from multiple sources and validated where possible. The primary analysis was limited to incident Parkinson’s cases diagnosed between 1998 and 2008. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were derived from multivariate logistic regression models.
Results
Statin use was rare at baseline (0.57%) but increased to 11.2% at Visit 4. During this time frame, total-cholesterol levels decreased, particularly among statin users. Fifty-six Parkinson’s cases were identified after 1998. Statin use before 1998 was associated with significantly higher Parkinson’s risk after 1998 (Odds ratio = 2.39, 95% Confidence interval 1.11–5.13) after adjusting for total-cholesterol and other confounders. Conversely, higher total-cholesterol was associated with lower risk for Parkinson’s after adjustment for statin usage and confounders. Compared to the lowest tertile of average total-cholesterol, the odds ratios for Parkinson’s were 0.56 (0.30–1.04) for the second and 0.43 (0.22–0.87) for the third tertile (Ptrend=0.02).
Conclusions
Statin use may be associated with a higher Parkinson’s risk, whereas higher total cholesterol may be associated with lower risk. These data are inconsistent with the hypothesis that statins are protective against Parkinson’s disease.
Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, cholesterol, statin, cohort study
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