A case-control study of Parkinson's disease in urban population of southern Israel

Background: In recent years, an increased prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) in southern Israel was observed. The aim of this study was to determi ne which exposures are associated with PD in the urban population of this r egion. Methods: Ninety-three PD patients living in towns were compared to 9 3 age and sex matched controls. A previously validated questionnaire, inclu ding demographic data, education, data on exposures, previous diseases, fam ily history and habits, was administered. Results: In multivariate logistic regression analysis, it was found that history of work in construction sit es was the strongest predictor of PD risk, followed by exposure to pesticid es, in contrast, there was a negative association with smoking and history of mechanical factory employment. When the same statistical analysis was li mited to association of PD with smoking, pesticides and construction work, the latter was found to be the strongest risk factor. Conclusion: The risk factors for PD in this population are work on a construction site and expos ure to pesticides.