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Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Disturbing link between Parkinson's disease and living beside a golf club revealed by new study
The possible exposure comes from an unexpected place OUT OF BOUNDS Disturbing link between Parkinson's disease and living beside a golf club revealed by new study Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIVING near a golf course might come with more than just scenic views - it could carry a hidden health risk. A new study has revealed a troubling connection between proximity to golf courses and the likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Living near a golf course may raise your risk of Parkinson's disease, a new study has found (stock image) Credit: Getty 2 Living within one mile of a golf course was linked to a 126% increase in odds of developing Parkinson (stock image) Credit: Getty The research focused on residents in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, where pesticide use on golf courses may be a key factor. Led by the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, along with Mayo Clinic, the study analyzed 419 Parkinson's patients with a control group. Data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project between 1991 and 2015 helped researchers compare Parkinson's patients with a control group. The greatest risk was seen in people living one to three miles from a golf course and the expansive lawns that come with it. READ MORE ON HEALTH LAB 'COVER UP' WHO still have no idea what caused Covid - but refuse to rule out lab leak Living within one mile of a fairway was linked to a 126% increase in odds of developing Parkinson's, the study found. Those in water service areas that included a golf course had nearly double the risk compared to areas without one. The risk jumped 82% for people living in under water service areas that also had vulnerable groundwater. 'Pesticides applied to golf courses may play a role in the incidence of PD [Parkinson's disease] for nearby residents,' researchers concluded in the study, published in JAMA Network Open. 'The strongest effects were in municipal water service areas with a golf course and in regions with vulnerable groundwater based on the bedrock and topography,' lead author Brittany Krzyzanowski, Ph.D told Fox News. She added, 'We speculate that pesticides might play a role. However, we didn't include data on pesticides in this study, so future research is needed to better understand what's going on.' Peter Andre shares emotional moment he's reunited with his mum Thea who's battling Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Medical director of the MS Center at Holy Name Medical Center in New Jersey, Dr. Mary Ann Picone, who was not involved in the research, weighed in on the findings. 'There has often been discussion regarding risks for development of Parkinson's disease and environmental agents such as pesticides,' she told Fox News. 'Further research is needed with larger groups of patients, but this study does increase the concern about the association between pesticide exposure and risk of Parkinson's,' Picone added. She also warned that airborne exposure to pesticides could contribute to the risk. What is Parkinson's disease? PARKINSON'S is a progressive neurological condition. This means that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time. People with Parkinson's don't have enough of the chemical dopamine in their brain because some of the nerve cells that make it have stopped working. Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson's in the UK. It's the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. Symptoms start to appear when the brain can't make enough dopamine to control movement properly. This usually happens around the age of 50, but some people might see the first signs in their 40s. There are over 40 symptoms, but the three main ones are: A tremor (shaking) Slowness of movement Rigidity (muscle stiffness) There are several different treatments, therapies and support available to help manage the condition. Source: Parkinson's UK The study did not measure individual levels of pesticide exposure, which researchers noted as a limitation. 'There are many other aspects as well that can interfere with developing a disease,' said senior author Dr. Rodolfo Savica of the Mayo Clinic. Researchers admitted the results may not apply to all areas, since the study focused on a region with hot, humid summers where pesticide use may be higher. Other risk factors, like head injuries or genetics were also not considered in the study. DEVELOPING PARKINSON'S Krzyzanowski pointed out that Parkinson's can take decades to develop, so the focus was on exposure from years ago. 'If pesticides were involved, they would be the ones sprayed a long time ago and that might be different from what's being sprayed today,' she said. Picone echoed that point, adding the research looked at exposure going back to 2013 or earlier. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America pushed back on the study's implications. 'Public health experts and researchers who have reviewed the study have noted that the study's methodological limitations make it difficult to draw conclusions from the data,' the group said in a statement. They added that all pesticides used on golf courses are registered by the EPA and don't create 'unreasonable adverse effects' when applied properly. Mayo Clinic's Savica said older adults should still enjoy being active and social. 'I recommend people continue to play sports outdoors and enjoy the sociality of any activity, including playing golf,' he said. But he also advised people to be cautious around areas where pesticide exposure may be possible.
The Irish Sun
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Disturbing link between Parkinson's disease and living beside a golf club revealed by new study
LIVING near a golf course might come with more than just scenic views - it could carry a hidden health risk. A new study has revealed a troubling connection between proximity to golf courses and the likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease. 2 Living near a golf course may raise your risk of Parkinson's disease, a new study has found (stock image) Credit: Getty 2 Living within one mile of a golf course was linked to a 126% increase in odds of developing Parkinson (stock image) Credit: Getty The research focused on residents in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, where Led by the Data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project between 1991 and 2015 helped researchers compare Parkinson's patients with a control group. The greatest risk was seen in people living one to three miles from a golf course and the expansive lawns that come with it. READ MORE ON HEALTH Living within one mile of a fairway was linked to a 126% increase in odds of developing Parkinson's, the study found. Those in water service areas that included a golf course had nearly double the risk compared to areas without one. The risk jumped 82% for people living in under water service areas that also had vulnerable groundwater. 'Pesticides applied to golf courses may play a role in the incidence of PD [Parkinson's disease] for nearby residents,' researchers concluded in the study, published in Most read in Health 'The strongest effects were in municipal water service areas with a golf course and in regions with vulnerable groundwater based on the bedrock and topography,' lead author Brittany Krzyzanowski, Ph.D told She added, 'We speculate that pesticides might play a role. However, we didn't include data on pesticides in this study, so future research is needed to better understand what's going on.' Peter Andre shares emotional moment he's reunited with his mum Thea who's battling Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Medical director of the MS Center at Holy Name Medical Center in New Jersey, Dr. Mary Ann Picone, who was not involved in the research, weighed in on the findings. 'There has often been discussion regarding risks for development of Parkinson's disease and environmental agents such as pesticides,' she told Fox News. 'Further research is needed with larger groups of patients, but this study does increase the concern about the association between pesticide exposure and risk of Parkinson's,' Picone added. She also warned that airborne exposure to pesticides could contribute to the risk. What is Parkinson's disease? PARKINSON'S is a progressive neurological condition. This means that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time. People with Parkinson's don't have enough of the chemical dopamine in their brain because some of the nerve cells that make it have stopped working. Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson's in the UK. It's the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. Symptoms start to appear when the brain can't make enough dopamine to control movement properly. This usually happens around the age of 50, but some people might see the first signs in their 40s. There are over 40 symptoms, but the three main ones are: A tremor (shaking) Slowness of movement Rigidity (muscle stiffness) There are several different treatments, therapies and support available to help manage the condition. Source: Parkinson's UK The study did not measure individual levels of pesticide exposure, which researchers noted as a limitation. 'There are many other aspects as well that can interfere with developing a disease,' said senior author Dr. Rodolfo Savica of the Mayo Clinic. Researchers admitted the results may not apply to all areas, since the study focused on a region with hot, humid summers where pesticide use may be higher. Other risk factors, like head injuries or genetics were also not considered in the study. DEVELOPING PARKINSON'S Krzyzanowski pointed out that Parkinson's can take decades to develop, so the focus was on exposure from years ago. 'If pesticides were involved, they would be the ones sprayed a long time ago and that might be different from what's being sprayed today,' she said. Picone echoed that point, adding the research looked at exposure going back to 2013 or earlier. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America pushed back on the study's implications. 'Public health experts and researchers who have reviewed the study have noted that the study's methodological limitations make it difficult to draw conclusions from the data,' the group said in a statement. They added that all pesticides used on golf courses are registered by the EPA and don't create 'unreasonable adverse effects' when applied properly. Mayo Clinic's Savica said older adults should still enjoy being active and social. 'I recommend people continue to play sports outdoors and enjoy the sociality of any activity, including playing golf,' he said. But he also advised people to be cautious around areas where pesticide exposure may be possible.
New York Post
01-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Living near a golf course is linked to Parkinson's risk in new study as some cite limitations
Advertisement If living near a golf course seems scenic and relaxing, it may also be linked to a higher risk of Parkinson's disease, according to a surprising new study that comes with some limitations. Led by the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, along with Mayo Clinic, the study found that the greatest risk was found among those who live within one to three miles of a golf course. 'The strongest effects were in municipal water service areas with a golf course and in regions with vulnerable groundwater based on the bedrock and topography,' lead study author Brittany Krzyzanowski, Ph.D., assistant professor at the Barrow Neurological Institute, told Fox News Digital. Advertisement 'These findings suggest that pesticides applied to golf courses may play a role in the incidence of PD [Parkinson's disease] for nearby residents,' the researchers concluded in the study, which was published in JAMA Network Open. The case-control study analyzed data from 419 Parkinson's patients averaging 73 years of age and living near 139 golf courses in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. They then made comparisons to control data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project from 1991 to 2015. 5 Led by the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, along with the Mayo Clinic, the study found that the greatest risk was among those who live within one to three miles of a golf course. Peakstock – Advertisement 'We had accurate data on golf course locations, and we could accurately determine the source of an individual's drinking water – whether that be municipal water or private well water,' Krzyzanowski noted. Living within one mile of a golf course was associated with 126% increased odds of developing the neurological disease compared to living more than six miles away, the study found. People living near water service areas with a golf course had nearly twice the risk of developing Parkinson's compared with individuals in water service areas without golf courses. Those living in water service areas with a golf course in vulnerable groundwater regions had an 82% higher risk, according to the findings. Advertisement (Vulnerable groundwater is more susceptible to contamination from human activities and environmental factors.) The associations remained even after the researchers adjusted for age and income, which suggests there could be something more than demographics driving the relationship between golf course proximity and risk of Parkinson's disease, Krzyzanowski noted. 'We speculate that pesticides might play a role; however, we didn't include data on pesticides in this study, so future research is needed to better understand what's going on,' she said. 5 The case-control study analyzed data from 419 Parkinson's patients averaging 73 years of age and living near 139 golf courses in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Reese Coop/ – Dr. Mary Ann Picone, medical director of the MS Center at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, was not involved in the study but shared her opinion of the findings. 'There has often been discussion regarding risks for development of Parkinson's disease and environmental agents such as pesticides,' she told Fox News Digital. 'Further research is needed with larger groups of patients, but this study does increase the concern about the association between pesticide exposure and risk of Parkinson's, especially within a one- to three-mile radius and groundwater and well vulnerability.' Airborne exposure to the pesticides was also a factor, she added. Potential limitations Advertisement The main limitation of the study is that it is not possible to quantify the amount of exposure each person receives, according to Dr. Rodolfo Savica, Mayo Clinic neurologist and senior author of the study. 'Unfortunately, there are many other aspects as well that can interfere with developing a disease,' he told Fox News Digital. 'Despite that, we are trying our best to contemplate and adjust for any possible additional information, but sometimes that is not possible.' 5 Living within one mile of a golf course was associated with 126% increased odds of developing the neurological disease compared to living more than six miles away, the study found. ipopba – Advertisement The study was limited to a region with hot and humid summers, specifically southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, where golf courses may have applied pesticides with more frequency compared to other geographic regions. 'Therefore, our results might not generalize to other areas,' the study lead noted. Other relevant Parkinson's risk factors, such as head trauma history and genetic predisposition, were not accounted for, Picone noted. Krzyzanowski also pointed out that Parkinson's disease develops many decades after exposure, so the study aimed to estimate exposure from long ago. Advertisement 'If pesticides were involved, they would be the ones sprayed a long time ago and that might be different from what's being sprayed today,' she said. 5 The associations remained even after the researchers adjusted for age and income, suggesting that something more than demographics may be driving the relationship between golf course proximity and the risk of Parkinson's disease. Thomas T/ – Picone agreed that because this study looked back to 2013, it is possible that different pesticides used before 2013 were not tracked. 'However, this study does provide evidence for an association between living on a golf course and pesticide groundwater exposure and risk of Parkinson's development, and does raise concern and the need for larger population sample research,' she shared with Fox News Digital. Advertisement Krzyzanowski added that because this was an observational study, the researchers couldn't make causal conclusions about the results. 'If you're worried about exposure of any kind, you should consult with your doctor,' she advised. Industry spokespeople respond A spokesperson from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, headquartered in Lawrence, Kansas, provided a statement to Fox News Digital in response to the study. 5 Living within one mile of a golf course was associated with 126% increased odds of developing the neurological disease compared to living more than six miles away, the study found. Pixel-Shot – 'Public health experts and researchers who have reviewed the study have noted that the study's methodological limitations make it difficult to draw conclusions from the data. As noted by the authors of the study, the role of pesticide exposure from golf courses in Parkinson's disease risk remains unclear. Without the methodological gaps being filled, the hypothesis linking golf-course pesticide exposure to Parkinson's Disease remains speculative.' The spokesperson noted that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rigorously tests and registers the pesticides that the golf industry uses to maintain healthy golf course turf. 'Pesticides registered by the EPA do not, according to the top researchers in their field, create unreasonable adverse effects to human health and the environment when used according to label directions,' the spokesperson continued. 'Golf course superintendents are leading practitioners of integrated pest management, a philosophy that reduces the potential environmental risks of pesticide usage.' Mayo Clinic's Savica recommended that older adults continue to stay active, which is crucial for their well-being. 'I recommend people continue to play sports outdoors and enjoy the sociality of any activity, including playing golf,' he said. 'On the other hand, I would recommend that people be very careful and avoid exposure to places where we know there can be an interaction between pesticides and contaminants.'
Medscape
07-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Is Carpal Tunnel an Early Sign of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
TOPLINE: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) appeared more than twice as frequently in patients before rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis than in those without RA, suggesting that CTS could serve as an early indicator for RA risk. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a population-based study using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, which provides comprehensive longitudinal health information from Olmsted County, Minnesota. Analysis included 1335 patients with RA meeting the 1987 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria between 1980 and 2019. Patients with RA were matched 1:1 with 1331 control individuals. Investigators identified CTS cases through two or more diagnosis codes occurring at least 30 days apart. TAKEAWAY: A total of 13% of individuals who developed RA were diagnosed with CTS prior to or at the onset of RA compared with 6% in non-RA individuals (odds ratio [OR], 2.23; 95% CI, 1.69-2.94). In patients with RA, most CTS diagnoses occurred at least 2 years before the onset of RA. Patients with RA were also at an increased risk for CTS following the onset of RA (hazard ratio [HR], 1.78; 95% CI, 1.38-2.30). Obesity (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.02-1.99) and seronegativity for anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (HR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.07-2.99) were associated with increased risk for CTS in the RA group. IN PRACTICE: 'Increased vigilance is needed in individuals with CTS regarding the risk of developing RA. Referral to a rheumatologist can be considered, particularly in persistent and severe forms of CTS (eg, patients requiring carpal tunnel release surgery), that are not otherwise explained by traditional risk factors (eg, obesity, hypothyroidism, [diabetes mellitus]) and regardless of serostatus,' wrote the authors of the study. SOURCE: This study was led by Roslin Jose George, MBBS, MPH, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. It was published online in Arthritis Care & Research on May 5, 2025. LIMITATIONS: This study population was predominantly White from Olmsted County and surrounding areas in Minnesota, potentially limiting generalizability to more diverse populations. The researchers used code-based definitions for CTS ascertainment, which may have introduced healthcare utilization bias as patients with milder CTS might not seek medical care. Additionally, information about unilateral vs bilateral CTS and detailed joint count scores was not collected during the record review, which could have provided better understanding of CTS severity and its association with RA. DISCLOSURES: This study received funding from grants provided by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and National Institute on Aging. The Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records-linkage system was supported by the National Institute on Aging, Mayo Clinic Research Committee, and user fees. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
