Increased Risk of Parkinson's Disease in Women after Bilateral Oophorectomy

Background Results regarding the association between hormonal exposure and risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) are heterogeneous. Objectives To investigate the association of reproductive life characteristics with PD among postmenopausal women. Methods The PARTAGE case-control included 130 female cases and 255 age-matched female controls. Information on gynecological history was obtained from a standardized questionnaire and PD was validated by neurological examination. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using conditional logistic regression. Results After adjustment for education level, smoking status, professional exposure to pesticides, and coffee and alcohol drinking, bilateral oophorectomy (OR = 3.55, 95%CI = 1.75-7.20), but neither menopause before age 50 years (OR = 1.24, 95%CI = 0.74-2.09) nor hormone therapy (HT; OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 0.62-1.86), was associated with PD. Conclusion Our findings suggest that bilateral oophorectomy is associated with increased risk of PD. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.