UCSF

BACKGROUND:In Huntington's disease, 60% of the variance in onset age is not explained by the huntingtin gene mutation. Huntington's disease onset was earlier in caffeine users. OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study was to assess the relationship of lifestyle factors with motor phenoconversion among persons at risk for Huntington's disease. METHODS:The associations of motor phenoconversion and exposure to selected lifestyle and health factors were examined using Cox proportional hazards analyses adjusted for age, gender, and repeat length. RESULTS:Of 247 participants, 36 (14.6%) phenoconverted. Mean follow-up was 4.2 years. Greater caffeinated soda use was associated with an increased hazard of phenoconversion: moderate use hazard ratio 2.26 (95% confidence interval 0.59-8.71), high use hazard ratio 4.05 (95% confidence interval 1.18-13.96). CONCLUSIONS:Huntington's disease onset was earlier among consumers of caffeinated soda, but not other caffeinated beverages. This finding may be spurious or not related to caffeine. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.