Certain acid reflux drugs long term use linked to higher risk of dementia

People who take acid reflux medications called proton pump inhibitors for four-and-a-half years or more may have a higher risk of dementia compared to people who do not take these medications, according to new research published in the online issue of Neurology. Proton pump inhibitors reduce stomach acid by targeting the enzymes in the stomach lining that produce that acid.

The study included 5,712 people, aged 45 and older, who did not have dementia at the start of the study. They had an average age of 75. Of the participants, 1,490 people, or 26%, had taken the drugs. Participants were then divided into four groups based on whether they had taken the drugs and for how long, as follows: people who did not take the drugs; those who took the drugs for up to 2.8 years; those who took them for 2.8 to 4.4 years; and people who took them for more than 4.4 years.

Participants were then followed for a median duration of 5.5 years. During this time, 585 people, or 10%, developed dementia. Of the 4,222 people who did not take the drugs, 415 people developed dementia. Of the 497 people who took the drugs for more than 4.4 years, 58 people developed dementia.

After adjusting for factors such as age, sex and race, as well as health-related factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes, researchers found people who had been taking acid reflux drugs for more than 4.4 years had a 33% higher risk of developing dementia than people who never took the drugs.

Reference: Kamakshi Lakshminarayan et al, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY, NEUROLOGY