OTC ibuprofen linked with reduced risk of Parkinson's disease
Regular use of over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen is associated with a near-60 per cent reduction in the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, a US study has found.(1)
Comparing NSAID use by 293 people who developed Parkinson's disease with that by 286 controls matched for age, sex and race, the Los Angeles investigators found taking at least two tablets of a non-aspirin NSAID weekly for at least a month was associated with a reduction of 48 per cent in the odds of developing Parkinson's disease. Among those reporting at least 2 years' regular NSAID use, the odds were reduced by 56 per cent.

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs may protect against degenerative neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease by reducing neuroinflammation in the brain. However, studies assessing the possible protective effect of NSAIDs have reached conflicting conclusions. This study, supported by the US National Institutes for Health - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the American PD Association, adds to the growing evidence on this issue. Due to its observational design, this study does not prove a causal link between NSAIDs and a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease. The authors say there is now a pressing need for more studies to explore the potential protective role that NSAIDs may have.

Reference
1. Wahner A, Bronstein JM, Bordelon YM, Ritz B. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may protect against Parkinson disease. Neurology 2007;69:1836-42

March 2008

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