Title: Autoimmunity meets neurodegeneration: Is systemic lupus erythematosus protective against Parkinson’s disease?
Authors: Jamir Pitton Rissardo, Ana Leticia Fornari Caprara
Conference: 7th WPC, Phoenyx, AZ
Objective
To evaluate whether systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with an altered risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD) using evidence from population-based studies.
Background
Autoimmune mechanisms have been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, but the relationship between SLE and PD remains unclear. Previous studies report conflicting results, warranting a systematic synthesis of available data.
Design/Methods
A meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed was searched for observational studies assessing the bidirectional association between SLE and PD. Data extracted included events and sample sizes for exposed (SLE) and control groups. Odds ratios (ORs) were pooled using Mantel–Haenszel methods under fixed and random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed with I² and Cochran’s Q. Publication bias was evaluated using Egger’s test and trim-and-fill analysis.
Results
Five studies met inclusion criteria. For SLE→PD, the fixed-effect model showed a significant association (OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.64–0.94; p = 0.01), suggesting a lower risk of PD among SLE patients. The random-effects model yielded a non-significant estimate (OR = 2.24; 95% CI: 0.71–6.99; p = 0.17) with high heterogeneity (I² = 95%). For PD→SLE, the fixed-effect model did not show association (OR = 1.24; 95% CI: 0.79–1.93). Trim-and-fill analysis indicated potential publication bias, with two missing studies and a substantial change in effect size (>150%). Fail-safe N calculations suggested susceptibility to bias.
Conclusions
Current evidence does not support a robust association between SLE and PD. While fixed-effect analysis suggests a protective trend, random-effects and bias assessments highlight uncertainty. Larger, well-controlled studies are needed to clarify this relationship.
Citation
Rissardo JP, Caprara ALF. Autoimmunity meets neurodegeneration: Is systemic lupus erythematosus protective against Parkinson’s disease?. J Parkinsons Dis 2026;16(1_suppl):68-69. doi: 10.1177/1877718X261451755.
Figure 1. Forest plots show bidirectional SLE–PD associations; Baujat and Galbraith plots identify heterogeneity contributors and outliers across studies.