Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

  K. Ghandehari MD^1*, M. Afshar PhD²

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  1- Associated Professor, Dept. of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

  2- Assistant Professor, Dept. of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

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  Background: Demographic and environmental factors are effective in the pathogenesis and protection against Parkinson Disease (PD). Sex, family history of PD, Farmership, education, stress, history of head trauma, smoking, consumption of well water, overuse of oil seeds, contact with herbicides and pesticides have been recorded in this regard.

  Materials and Methods: In this case control study, 100 patients with PD and 200 age matched controls referring to neurology clinic of Birjand UMS (southern Khorasan) were enrolled during the years 2002 and 2003. PD was diagnosed by a neurologist and the demographic and environmental factors were recorded in a questionnaire. Fisher and Chi-Square tests were used for statistical analysis and p<0.05 was declared as significant.

  Results: 68% of the cases and 53% of the controls were male. Family history of PD (p=0.012 ), farmership (p=0.021), education (p=0.03), stress (p=0.013) and well water (p=0.021) supply were significantly more frequent in the PD group. Smoking (p=0.007) and oil seeds consumption (p=0.001) were more frequent in the control group. Frequency rate of contact with herbicides, pesticides and history of head trauma were not significantly different between the PD and the control groups.

  Conclusion: Family history of PD, farmership, education, stress and well water supply are risk factors of PD, while smoking and oil seeds consumption could be protective factors against PD.

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  Key words: Parkinson, Risk factors, Protective factors

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  *Correspondingauthor Tel: (0561) 4433733, Fax: (0561)440076

  E-mail: kavianghandehari@yahoo.com

  Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, 2004, 3(4): 225-231