Neurology

Metabolic syndrome associated with heightened Parkinson’s disease risk

August 25, 2025

Study details: This prospective cohort study analyzed data from 467,200 UK Biobank participants (mean age, 57 years; 54% female; 38% with metabolic syndrome [MetS]), all free of Parkinson’s disease (PD) at baseline. MetS was defined by the presence of ≥3 of five criteria: central obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperglycemia. PD diagnoses were confirmed via medical records. Researchers also calculated a PD-related polygenic risk score (PRSPD) based on 26 alleles, categorized as low, moderate, or high. A meta-analysis of eight additional studies was also conducted.

Results: Over the nearly 15-year follow-up period, 3,222 developed PD. MetS was associated with a 39% increased risk of PD (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–1.74), with risk rising dose-dependently by number of MetS components (P=0.001 for trend). Participants with both MetS and high PRSPD had the highest PD risk (hazard ratio 2.58; 95% CI 2.12–3.14; P for interaction = 0.0002). The meta-analysis confirmed a pooled relative risk of 1.29 (95% CI 1.15–1.44).

Clinical impact: MetS may be a modifiable risk factor for PD, especially in genetically predisposed individuals. Screening for MetS and genetic risk could inform early interventions to reduce PD incidence.

Source:

Zhang X, et al. (2025, September 23). Neurology. Metabolic Syndrome and Incidence of Parkinson Disease: A Community-Based Longitudinal Study and Meta-Analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40834329/