The risk of developing Parkinson’s disease is at least doubled in people with anxiety compared with those without, according to a study published in the July issue of the British Journal of General Practice.

Dr Juan Carlos Bazo-Alvarez (PhD), from University College London, and colleagues investigated the incidence of Parkinson’s disease in people diagnosed with new anxiety (2008-2018; aged ≥50) as well as clinical features associated with later diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in people with anxiety.

The researchers found that the risk of Parkinson’s disease increased twofold versus those without anxiety after adjusting for age, sex, social deprivation, lifestyle factors, severe mental illness, head trauma and dementia (hazard ratio, 2.1).

The presence of depression, hypotension, tremor, rigidity, balance impairment, constipation, sleep disturbance, fatigue and cognitive impairment were associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in those with anxiety.