PESTICIDE SALES AND PARKINSON DISEASE IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Background: Pesticide exposure has been implicated in several environmental and health problems, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Pesticide use in Brazil has increased so significantly in the last 2 decades that it is been considered the top consumer of these substances in the world. Aims: The present study aimed at evaluating the association between the per capita sales of pesticides was obtained from agroeconomic census performed in 1985 and 1996 and hospitalization rates by PD between 1997 and 2007. Methods: Data on every hospitalization by PD, between 1997 and 2007, were retrieved from Brazilian Hospitalization System, and used to estimate PD hospitalization rates in each of the 552 Brazilian micro regions. Spearman correlation tests were initially obtained to proceed investigation. Hospitalizations rates were obtained after analysing distribution patterns of pesticides consumption. Quintile distribution of exposure was used to compare rates obtained from all the Brazilian database, which was stratified by urban / rural microregions, gender and age. Results: Results showed associations between rural micro regions hospitalizations by Parkinson´s disease and the degree of pesticides exposure. Generally, we have observed that the higher level of pesticides exposure was accompanied with higher hospitalizations rates. This increasing risk association behavior was similar in magnitude for both gender and different age groups. These associations were not evident in urban areas, confirming a clear relationship between pesticides exposure in rural areas and adverse effects associated to Parkinson´s disease. Risk estimates were even higher in women, showing six times higher rates associated to the higher pesticide exposure quintile. Conclusions: In agreement with recent international evidences, our results suggest that pesticide exposure may increase the risk of PD. Other refined studies are needed to investigate this possible association found.