Exposure to pesticides in agriculture and Parkinson's disease in users of a public health service in Paraná, Brazil

Abstract Background Parkinson's disease and exposure to pesticides have been increasingly studied given the increased consumption of pesticides, and disregard for harmful effects on the environment and human health. Objective To analyze the association between exposure to pesticides and the occurrence of Parkinson's in patients of the neurology outpatient clinic of the University Hospital of Western Paraná. Method Cross-sectional case series survey with data collected from hospital electronic systems to identify users diagnosed with the disease who used the service from 2012 to 2017, developed through interviews. Results Thirty two out of 48 individuals identified were interviewed, most were elderly (87.48%); with low education (53.13%); no familial history of the disease (87.48%), had some type of life-long agricultural activity (78.11%); had contact with pesticide (74.98%). From the individuals that had been exposed to pesticides, 50% had direct contact, and the time elapsed between exposure to pesticides and onset of disease symptoms was longer than 20 years in 75% of cases. Sixteen types of pesticides were mentioned. Conclusion Our results suggest a possible association between exposure to pesticides and the occurrence of Parkinson's disease.

## 背景
随着农药使用量持续攀升，且社会对其损害环境与人类健康的有害影响重视不足，帕金森病（Parkinson's disease）与农药（pesticides）暴露的相关研究日益增多。

## 目的
分析西巴拉那州大学附属医院神经内科门诊患者中，农药暴露与帕金森病发病之间的关联。

## 方法
本研究为横断面病例系列调查，数据采集自医院电子系统，旨在识别2012年至2017年期间就诊并确诊该病的患者，通过访谈方式完成研究。

## 结果
共纳入48名确诊患者中的32名接受访谈。受试者中，大多数为老年人（87.48%）、受教育水平偏低（53.13%）、无该病家族史（87.48%）、存在农业劳作经历（78.11%）且接触过农药（74.98%）。在接触农药的受试者中，50%为直接接触；75%的病例中，农药暴露至疾病症状发作的间隔时长超过20年。本次研究共提及16种农药。

## 结论
本研究结果提示，农药暴露与帕金森病发病之间可能存在关联。