Physical Activity Is Inversely Associated With All-Cause of Mortality in Parkinson Disease
JAMA Neurology
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
Evidence is rapidly accumulating of the benefit of exercise and physical activity in Parkinson disease (PD). The authors conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study of 10,699 individuals with PD, evaluating the association of physical activity (obtained from self-reported structured questionnaires) with all-cause mortality.
Activity levels were defined as being of light intensity, moderate intensity, and vigorous intensity based on metabolic-equivalent-of-task minutes per week (ratings of 3, 5, and 8, respectively). Mortality was lower in individuals who were physically active versus inactive at all physical activity intensities.
Maintenance of physical activity was also associated with reduced mortality, with the greatest reduction in individuals who were active both before and after PD diagnosis. An effect was even seen for previously inactive individuals who started physical activity after receiving the diagnosis compared with individuals who remained inactive.
The results show an inverse association between physical activities at all levels and mortality in PD. This suggests that physical activity at any point can be beneficial.
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Importance
The protective effects of physical activity (PA) against Parkinson disease (PD) development have been suggested; however, the association of PA with mortality in PD has rarely been investigated.
Objective
To evaluate the association between PA and mortality in individuals with PD and determine how the amount and maintenance of PA are associated with mortality.
Design, Setting, and Participants
This nationwide population-based cohort study used Korean National Health Insurance System data. Participants were included from January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013, and were followed up until December 31, 2017. Data were analyzed from September 2020 to March 2021. Individuals who were newly diagnosed with PD were selected using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision code G20 and registration code V124 in the program for rare intractable diseases in 2010 through 2013. Individuals who underwent health checkups within 2 years before and after the PD diagnosis were enrolled. Those aged younger than 40 years or with missing data were excluded.
Exposures
Physical activity levels were collected using self-reported questionnaires.
Main Outcomes and Measures
All-cause mortality.
Results
A total of 45 923 individuals were identified; 10 987 were enrolled and 34 individuals younger than 40 years and 254 with missing data were excluded. A total of 10 699 individuals with PD were included; 4925 (46%) were male and 5774 (54%) were female, and the mean (SD) age was 69.2 (8.8) years. During the 8-year follow-up period, there were 1823 deaths (17%). The mortality rate was lower among individuals who were physically active vs inactive at all PA intensities. There was a significant inverse dose-response association between the total amount of PA and mortality. Moreover, maintenance of PA was associated with the mortality rate. Individuals with PD who were physically active both before and after the PD diagnosis had the greatest reduction in mortality rate across all PA intensities. Individuals who started PA after receiving the PD diagnosis had a lower mortality rate than those who remained physically inactive.
Conclusions and Relevance
This analysis found a dose-response association between PA and all-cause mortality in PD. Reverse causality may exist, and future prospective randomized clinical trials are warranted to determine the effect of PA on mortality in PD.
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