Survival rates among Parkinson's disease patients who carry mutations in the LRRK2 and GBA genes

Background: The G2019S mutation in the LRRK2 gene generates a milder PD phenotype compared with GBA-PD; however, genetic based survival studies are lacking. Objectives: To compare mortality rates between LRRK2-PD, GBA-PD, and idiopathic PD patients (iPD). Methods: Patients were screened for the G2019S mutation in the LRRK2 gene and the seven common GBA mutations among Ashkenazi Jews, classified as mild and severe (mGBA, sGBA). Motor symptoms onset and date of death were ascertained, with mortality rates calculated for each group of patients. Results: Overall, 380 of 1,086 idiopathic PD patients, 49 of 159 LRRK2-PD, 56 of 148 mGBA-PD, and 13 of 49 sGBA-PD participants died by the time of analysis. LRRK2-PD tended to have longer survival compared to idiopathic PD whereas GBA status did not affect mortality. Genetic status did not predict mortality in a multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Survival of patients with PD does not seem to be related to GBA status, whereas LRRK2 might confer higher survival rates.