Extended Use of Anti-Inflammatory Medications May Lower Dementia Risk: Research
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Synopsis
A study indicates that long-term use of NSAID medications might reduce the risk of dementia. This research highlights the connection between inflammation and dementia, emphasizing the need for further studies to establish preventive strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Prolonged NSAID use might lower dementia risk.
- Inflammation is linked to dementia development.
- 12% risk reduction found in long-term NSAID users.
- Short-term NSAID use showed no benefits.
- Further research is needed for preventive strategies.
New Delhi, March 5 (NationPress) A recent study suggests that prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could potentially reduce the likelihood of developing dementia. Prior studies have indicated a link between inflammation and the emergence of dementia. The anti-inflammatory properties of NSAIDs might offer a protective effect against this condition, which impacts over 55 million individuals globally.
“Our research provides insights into the potential preventive benefits of anti-inflammatory medications in the dementia process,” stated M. Arfan Ikram from Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The study involved 11,745 adults with an average follow-up duration of 14.5 years. Among them, 9,520 participants had at some point used NSAIDs, while 2,091 developed dementia.
Results published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society revealed that consistent NSAID usage was linked to a 12 percent lower risk of developing dementia.
However, short- and medium-term usage did not exhibit any advantages, nor did the accumulated dosage of NSAIDs correlate with a reduced risk of dementia, the researchers noted.
The findings imply that long-term, rather than high-intensity, NSAID use may provide a degree of protection against dementia.
“Further research is essential to strengthen this evidence and potentially formulate preventive measures,” Ikram emphasized.
A recent publication in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions examined health data from over 130 million individuals and found that antibiotics, antivirals, vaccinations, and anti-inflammatory medications are linked to a lower dementia risk.
This supports the theory that common forms of dementia may be initiated by viral or bacterial infections.
Data from the World Health Organization indicates nearly 10 million new dementia cases arise each year, making it the seventh leading cause of death and a major contributor to disability and dependence among the elderly.
Alzheimer's disease accounts for the majority of dementia cases, contributing to 60-70 percent of instances.
