January 15, 2025
According to a study published in Joint Bone Spine, patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) face a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, especially Parkinson’s disease (PD).
The study aimed to explore the potential connection between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While inflammation and immune dysfunction are known contributors to both AS and certain neurodegenerative conditions, prior research has produced inconsistent findings on the relationship between these diseases. The researchers sought to clarify whether AS increases the risk of developing NDs and to assess the strength of this association.
To investigate this, the researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies published before April 2024. They analyzed data from 10 studies involving a total of 851,936 participants. These studies were identified through major medical research databases such as PubMed and EMBASE, and their results were synthesized to determine overall trends. The analysis calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs) to measure the likelihood of individuals with AS developing neurodegenerative diseases compared to those without AS.
The findings showed that individuals with AS had a 36% higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases overall. Specifically, the study found that AS patients were 55% more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. However, the data did not show a statistically significant link between AS and Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. While there was a slight increase in the odds of these conditions, the results were not strong enough to confirm a meaningful association.
The researchers noted that inflammation, immune dysfunction, and overlapping genetic and environmental factors, such as gut imbalances and metabolic issues, likely contribute to the increased risk of neuroinflammation in AS patients. (Neuroinflammation is believed to play a role in the progression of Parkinson’s.)
These findings are important because they highlight the need for physicians to monitor individuals with AS for early signs of neurodegenerative conditions and consider preventive strategies when possible. They also underscore the importance of further research to confirm these associations and uncover the mechanisms linking chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction to neurodegenerative disease risk.
References:
Input your search keywords and press Enter.
