Long-term use of PPI not linked to impairment of cognition and dementia

In a recent study the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) were not associated with dementia and cognitive decline in older adults. The findings were published in the Gastroenterology Journal.

Raaj Mehta and team conducted a post-hoc analysis of the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial, a large randomized study that focused on the effects of aspirin on elderly individuals in the United States and Australia. The study included 18,934 community-based adults aged 65 and older, representing diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

During annual in-person study visits, participants' medication use, including PPIs and H2RAs, was assessed. Incident dementia was defined based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria. Secondary endpoints included cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND), and changes in cognitive function.

The analysis revealed that baseline PPI use was not associated with an increased risk of incident dementia or CIND compared to non-use of PPIs. The multivariable hazard ratio (HR) for incident dementia was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.72-1.08), indicating no significant difference in risk between the two groups. Similarly, there were no associations observed between H2RA use and any cognitive endpoints.