Commonly prescribed drugs are tied to nearly 50% higher dementia risk in older adults, study says
Source: CNN
Updated 5:54 AM ET, Tue June 25, 2019
(CNN)Scientists have long found a possible link between anticholinergic drugs and an increased risk of dementia.
A study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine on Monday suggests that the link is strongest for certain classes of anticholinergic drugs -- particularly antidepressants, bladder antimuscarinics, antipsychotics and antiepileptic drugs.
Researchers wrote in the study that "there was nearly a 50% increased odds of dementia" associated with a total anticholinergic exposure of more than 1,095 daily doses within a 10-year period, which is equivalent to an older adult taking a strong anticholinergic medication daily for at least three years, compared with no exposure.
"The study is important because it strengthens a growing body of evidence showing that strong anticholinergic drugs have long term associations with dementia risk," said Carol Coupland, professor of medical statistics in primary care at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom and first author of the study.
"It also highlights which types of anticholinergic drugs have the strongest associations. This is important information for physicians to know when considering whether to prescribe these drugs," she said, adding "this is an observational study so no firm conclusions can be drawn about whether these anticholinergic drugs cause dementia.".............................
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/24/health/dementia-risk-drug-study/index.html
My very elderly mom was taken off her overactive bladder pills a few weeks ago because of this study --by her urologist.
She said she would rather go to the bathroom more often than lose her mind. Wise choice
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The article implies that all antidepressants increase dementia risk, when in fact, only less commonly prescribed tricyclics do. The much more commonly prescribed SSRI's, such as Prozac, are not anticholinergics, and have no correlation with increased dementia risk.
Also, the article states that antihistamines do not increase dementia risk, when there are many other studies that show habitual use of Benadryl/diphenhydramine increases dementia risk.
The MSM continues the tradition of irresponsible reporting, in breathlessly announcing each new study without critical review ("garsh, we ain't no edjacated scientists, we're just edjacated journalists"
