“People who have their appendices taken out may be at higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease later in life, new research suggests.

A Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center study of over 62 million patients found who that had had the operation were at a three-fold greater risk of developing Parkinson's.

Worldwide, over 10 million people have Parkinson's disease, a devastating neurological disease with no cure and struck comedian Robin Williams before his 2014 suicide.

The newly discovered link between the appendix and Parkinson's may provide a clue about when, where and why Parkinson's starts to develop…”

https://mol.im/a/7008055

Researchers with too much time on their hands.

Next they'll determine that those who have stubbed their toe in the past are more likely than not to develop hypertension later in life.

When you lose a very angry appendix you lose a spectacular bellyache. YMMV

As someone who had theirs out at 8 years old who has a father in late stages of Parkinson's this is of interest to me.
Ironically, I know that I recently saw a different study that claimed exactly the opposite correlation. Go figure.

Hmmmm...something about correlation and causation here....

Fuck, I'd be SOOOO much better off with that nearly burst thing in my gut!!!

Sarcasm on.....

Look at it this way. If you have your appendix and it gets infected, it'll "burst" and you'll get sepsis. Then likely die and not get Parkinson's. Valid data all around.

I think we are getting to the point where Stats can link anything and everything.

Andrew

Exactly. I had mine out at 12 years old, but it was about to burst and kill me.

So I'll take the risk. If there even is a risk, and it's not just false correlation/causation assumptions.

I'm guessing there is some deeper link to an individual's response to chronic infection and inflammation which led to both conditions rather than a causal relationship. Of course, it makes great a click bait headline.

Compared to years of Parkinsons, a relatively quick death from sepsis may be a choice some would make.

Mine did burst at 17 years old. I vividly remember the pain and ER. I also drank milk during my childhood and coffee in adulthood. There is probably another correlation.

My wife's Uncle eventually died of complications of Parkinson's. He was very active.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: az4783054,

Well, yes, dying from appendicitis does dramatically reduce your chances of developing Parkinson's Disease.

??

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
Compared to years of Parkinsons, a relatively quick death from sepsis may be a choice some would make.

...said the man who is not in that position.

It's very easy to sit at your computer and make such suppositions. You wouldn't know how you would react until you were faced with this.

It's not like you have a choice in the matter.

quote:

Worldwide, over 10 million people have Parkinson's disease, a devastating neurological disease with no cure

This may be true and might even be under reported, however, with something like 6 billion people living, Parkinson's is hardly a high risk. So even if (big "if" there since correlation does not equal causation) your risk is tripled it is still not high. Risk from death due to a ruptured appendix on the other hand is very, very high.

The appendix has long been considered to be a vestigial organ with no purpose. But several months ago I read that a purpose has been discovered. When all of the (very beneficial) gut bacteria has been lost from the intestines, the appendix serves as a reservoir for the bacteria, from which the bacteria can repopulate the intestines.

The total loss of gut bacteria can occur as a result of severe diarrhea. Also, I suspect, as a result of a pre-colonoscopy gut purge. That’s one reason why I’ll never have another colonoscopy. I’ll rely on an annual poop kit check instead. The diagnostic reliability of poop kit checks is much improved in recent years. An annual poop kit check might even be better than a colonoscopy at several-year intervals.

Obviously, appendicitis mandates an appendectomy, over all other considerations.

Dead at 16 or still kicking at 45 with maybe an increased risk of Parkinson's? Hmmm, tough call that one. Get the time machine ready in case I want to go back and be dead.

3 times more likely, however it's still under one percent.

"Hey, saving your life years ago may fuck you up in 50 years - so THINK ABOUT IT!!!!"

LMFAO.

Mine didn't burst but the old Surgeon who took it out said it was "just about to pop". I felt like death all morning and couldn't walk, then my parents took me to the hospital - they had me under the knife in about an hour.

Anyone else remember the medical community arguing over whether the simple egg was either good or death on a plate and how many times the “facts” flipped the decision one way then the other?

It’s interesting, as mine postponed my departure to Parris Island for 6 months but I’m not on pins & needles with worry just yet.