London, England – People over the age of 50 who experience anxiety may have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study published in the British Journal of General Practice. Researchers analyzed primary care data from the United Kingdom, comparing individuals aged 50 and older diagnosed with anxiety to a control group without anxiety.

Among the 109,435 individuals diagnosed with anxiety between 2008 and 2018, researchers found that 331 patients later developed Parkinson’s disease. On average, these patients developed Parkinson’s disease approximately 4.9 years after their initial anxiety diagnosis.

Even after adjusting for different factors such as age, lifestyle, and mental illness, individuals with anxiety were still twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s disease compared to those without anxiety. Those who developed the disease were more likely to be male and from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.

The study also found that various other factors were associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, such as depression, sleep disturbances, fatigue, cognitive impairment, tremors, and balance issues. Conversely, individuals experiencing dizziness, shoulder pain, and urinary or erectile problems were less likely to develop the condition.

Professor Anette Schrag, co-leader of the study and a clinical neurosciences professor at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, emphasized the need for further research into anxiety as an early indicator of Parkinson’s disease. Understanding these links could lead to improved treatment strategies for Parkinson’s disease in its early stages.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders in the United States, affecting up to 1 million Americans. While the disease is typically diagnosed in individuals over 60, it can also affect younger individuals, with up to 10 percent of cases diagnosed before the age of 50. Early detection of Parkinson’s disease remains crucial for effective management and treatment.