Low cardiometabolic risk in Parkinson's disease is independent of nutritional status, body composition and fat distribution

Background & aims: To investigate if the reduced cardiometabolic risk in Parkinson's disease (PD) is independent of nutritional status, body composition and fat distribution. Methods: We designed a case control study comparing 80 non underweight PD patients with 80 controls matched for sex, age and body mass index (BMI). Nutritional assessment included: anthropometry (BMI and waist circumference [WC]), body composition estimated by impedance and biochemistry (fasting glucose, serum lipids and transaminases). The presence of arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome (MetS) were noted. Results: Compared to controls and independently of gender, PD patients showed lower percentage of body fat (P < 0.001) and biochemical parameters (glucose, P < 0.001; total cholesterol, P < 0.001; LDL, P < 0.001; triglycerides, P = 0.002; alanine aminotransferase, P < 0.001 and aspartate aminotransferase, P = 0.015) but similar WC (P = 0.324). The prevalence of hypertension and MetS was similar in the two groups, as well as the frequency and the number of MetS criteria. The relationship between PD and low cardiometabolic profile was independent of age, gender, current smoking and BMI. After adjusting for WC and body fat, most of the associations remained significant. Conclusions: PD patients seem to have a more favorable cardiometabolic risk profile, independently of nutritional status, body composition and fat distribution. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.