Occupational categories at risk for Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND: The etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is considered to have a strong environmental component, but relatively few studies have investigated the potential association between occupation and the disease. METHODS: In a population-based case-control study, we collected comprehensive occupational histories from all study participants, 144 case and 464 control subjects. RESULTS: Chi-square analysis revealed that working in an agricultural occupation increased estimated PD risk (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 0.85, 3.60). In contrast, a history of ever working in a service occupation was negatively associated with PD risk (OR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.47, 1.00). Risk estimates were close to one for specific service occupations. Adjusted odds ratios for all non-service occupational and industrial categories were similar, and working in a service occupation was the only significant inverse predictor of PD risk. CONCLUSIONS: Future investigations focusing on lifestyle factors and environmental exposures within the agricultural and service occupational categories are warranted.