Abstract
Abstract Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition affecting a growing global population, particularly in ageing demographics. Numerous environmental factors have been proposed as potential contributors to PD risk, including exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, rural residence, agricultural activities, well water consumption, infections and air pollution. This research seeks to investigate the association between these environmental factors and the development of PD in the specific context of Saudi Arabia. Methods: To explore the relationship between environmental factors and PD, we conducted a cross-sectional survey involving 919 participants. Participants were selected through a structured questionnaire, interviews and a review of medical records. Individuals diagnosed with PD were recruited from tertiary care centres and neurology clinics across Saudi Arabia. Age- and gender-matched controls were selected from the general population to ensure a representative sample. Results: Our analysis unveiled compelling associations between environmental exposures and the prevalence of PD in Saudi Arabia. Notably, participants reporting high pesticide exposure exhibited the highest PD prevalence at 63.9%, whereas those with low pesticide exposure had a prevalence of 30.07%. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to air pollution, occupational exposure to heavy metals, contamination of well water sources and residing in areas with high air pollution levels were all significantly linked to increased disease prevalence. Conclusion: These findings underscore the substantial impact of environmental factors on the incidence of PD in the Saudi Arabian population. The study highlights the imperative for preventive measures to mitigate these risks, emphasising the need for targeted interventions and public health strategies aimed at reducing exposure to environmental risk factors associated with PD.
Published Version
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