Lately, focus on the relation between Parkinson's disease (PD) and Diabetes has risen greatly, as neuroprotective properties have been attributed to insulin use. Several studies have assessed the effect of glitazones, an insulin-sensitizing agent, in diabetic population on PD future risk. However, reports on the effect of their use have been heterogeneous. We aimed to synthesize the available scientific evidence which assesses the effect of glitazone use in type 2 diabetes patients on PD incidence. A systematic review was performed on multiple electronic databases. Considered for inclusion were studies that assessed the incidence of PD in type 2 diabetes glitazone users. Two reviewers worked independently and in duplicate to assess all studies, extract information and assess the methodological quality in each included study. Four high quality retrospective cohorts fulfilled inclusion criteria. Comparison groups varied across studies. In each study, incidence of PD was lower in glitazone-exposed patients compared to their respective comparison group. Pooled analysis showed lesser risk of PD in ever versus never glitazone users (RR 0.75 [95% C.I. 0.67-0.85; p < .0001; I2 = 0]). Our pooled analysis showed lesser risk of PD in glitazone versus non glitazone users, however, we advise to take results with caution since results are non-adjusted to possible confounding variables, furthermore, different glitazone-exposure time, follow up and comparison groups are aspects that also need to be pointed out. More clinical research focused on glitazone use and its relation with PD is needed, as this could result in new potential treatment modalities.
Keywords: Glitazones; Oral antidiabetics; Parkinson’s disease; T2DM.