Khaberni - A recent Australian study showed that Parkinson's disease symptoms differ between men and women, highlighting the risk factors affecting patients. Parkinson's is one of the fastest-spreading neurological disorders globally, affecting more than 10 million people, with about 150,000 Australians suffering from the disease, and 50 new cases diagnosed daily.
The study, led by the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, involved about 10,929 people, making it the largest Australian study on patients to date. The results confirmed the prevalence of non-motor symptoms such as loss of smell (52%), memory changes (65%), pain and dizziness (66%), and sleep disorders (96%).
The study indicated that risk factors include aging, genetics, and the environment. A quarter of the participants reported a family history of the disease, while 10-15% showed a link to a specific genetic mutation. Additionally, 36% reported exposure to pesticides, 16% had suffered a brain injury, and 33% worked in high-risk professions, with these exposures being higher among men.
The results showed a difference between genders: Men are 1.5 times more likely to be affected, while symptoms such as pain and falling appeared more frequently in women, and men suffered more from memory problems and impulsive behaviors, particularly sexual behavior.
The study confirms that understanding these differences can contribute to the early detection of those affected and improve disease management, considering that the data was collected from self-reports of study participants, representing less than 6% of the people invited to participate, most of whom are of European descent.
This study is an important step towards a better understanding of Parkinson's disease progression and supports the development of therapeutic strategies tailored to each patient's individual characteristics.
