Constipation and IBS could be early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease, scientists discover
SUFFERING constipation or IBS could be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease, research shows.
People with the painful symptoms were up to twice as likely to get the condition within five years.
Researchers looked at data of more than 92,000 people in the US to see how gut conditions impacted their risk of developing Parkinson’s.
Dr Bo Jonings, of KU Leuven University in Belgium, said: “These findings warrant alertness for gastrointestinal syndromes in patients at higher risk for Parkinson’s disease.
“This study is the first to establish evidence that not only constipation, but also dysphagia, gastroparesis and irritable bowel syndrome might predict Parkinson’s disease.”
Parkinson’s disease is the fastest growing neurodegenerative condition in the world and 145,000 Brits are currently living with it.
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The condition causes involuntary shaking in parts of the body, as well as slow movement and stiff, inflexible muscles.
It is caused by a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain, leading to a drop in dopamine — a chemical that makes us feel happy and also plays a role in regulating movement.
Previous research has linked gut problems, including constipation, difficulty swallowing, and irritable bowel syndrome, to other neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s.
The latest study, published in the journal Gut, looked at how they might relate to Parkinson’s.
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Researchers tracked data from 24,624 people who had been diagnosed with the condition.
This was compared with 19,046 who had Alzheimer’s disease, 23,942 with cerebrovascular disease and a 24,624-strong healthy group.
They found four gut problems were associated with a higher risk of a Parkinson’s.
Gastroparesis — delayed stomach emptying — dysphagia — difficulty swallowing — and constipation were all associated with a more than doubling in risk in five years.
IBS without diarrhoea was associated with a 17 per cent higher risk.
Independent experts said the study could lead to new treatments that target the gut to ease symptoms and delay or stop the condition from developing.
Dr Tim Bartels, of University College London, said: “The study firmly establishes association between particular forms of gut dysfunction preceding Parkinson’s Disease.
“Any earlier clinical signs and potential biomarkers would be highly valuable for earlier — and therefore more effective — treatment and drug targeting.”
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Clare Bale, of Parkinson’s UK, said: “The findings add further weight to the growing evidence that problems like constipation may be early warning signs of Parkinson's.
“Understanding how and why gut issues appear in the early stages of Parkinson's could lead to treatment approaches that target the gut to slow or stop the progression of the condition.”