Common Drugs Increase Dementia Risk?

Doctors often prescribe anticholinergic drugs for a variety of diseases. However, recent research suggests they may increase the risk of dementia in older patients.

The National Institute for Health Research funded this investigation, and the researchers published their study in JAMA Internal Medicine. 

According to Healthline, anticholinergic drugs help prevent involuntary muscle movements associated with specific diseases such as Parkinson's disease. It is likewise prescribed to help treat bladder conditions and gastrointestinal issues.

An almost 50% increase in risk

The lead author Prof. Ditty Coupland and her co-researchers examined the medicinal records of 58,769 individuals with dementia and 225,574 individuals without dementia when they started the study. The participants were 55 years old and above.

Among those with dementia, 63% were females, and the average age was 82. For every individual with dementia, the specialists discovered five control matches of a similar age, gender, and who went to the same general method to get healthcare medication. 

Prof. Coupland and her co-researchers sourced the information from the QResearch database and saw the medication records of the patients from January 1, 2004 to January 31, 2016.

The specialists found that medications such as anticholinergic antidepressants, anti-Parkinson's drugs, bladder medications, and epilepsy medications were related to a more severe risk of dementia.

The prescribed medications to the patients were antidepressants, anti-vertigo medications, and antimuscarinic bladder drugs for the treatment of overactive bladders.

These outcomes remained even after the scientists controlled for confounding factors, including body mass index (BMI), smoking status, liquor use, cardiovascular issues, and the using of other medications such as antihypertensive pills.

The specialists concluded that individuals ages 55 and above who had consistently taken anticholinergics for three years had a 50% chance of having dementia than individuals who had not utilized this kind of prescription.

Co-author Prof. Tom Dening explained that the study provides further evidence that doctors should be cautious when prescribing certain drugs that have anticholinergic properties.

However, Dening underscored that people taking these kinds of medications won't stop in an instant and might cause more harm.

"If [people] have concerns, then they should discuss them with their doctor to consider the pros and cons of the treatment they are receiving," Dening said.

Risks should be considered

To check the quality of anticholinergic medications and how frequently the participants took them, the researchers investigated the accessible data about remedies over ten years. 

However, they noted this is an observational investigation, so they can't affirm whether the medications are legitimately answerable for the increased danger of dementia.

The researchers include that healthcare specialists may have endorsed a portion of these medications to their patients correctly for the treatment of early manifestations of dementia.

Coupland said that the study further added potential dangers related to anticholinergic medications, especially antidepressants, bladder antimuscarinic drugs, anti-Parkinson's medications, and epilepsy drugs.

She added the danger of this type of medication should be thoroughly considered by medical professionals, such as the benefits of the prescribed medications and that other treatment should be made available if needed.