Study finds anxiety linked to a threefold increased risk of dementia

In a recent study presented at the American Geriatrics Society, both chronic and new-onset anxiety were linked to a threefold increased risk for dementia onset in later life.

A total of 2132 participants with mean age 76 years from the Hunter Community Study were recruited. Anxiety was measured using Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Dementia was defined as per International Classification of Disease—10 codes. The Fine–Gray subdistribution hazard model was computed to assess dementia risk, while adjusting for the competing risk of death.

Chronic anxiety and new-onset anxiety at follow-up were associated with an increased risk of all-cause dementia (HR 2.80, 95% CI 1.35–5.72 and HR 3.20, 95% CI 1.40–7.45, respectively), with an average time to dementia diagnosis of 10 years (SD = 1.7). In contrast, resolved anxiety was not linked to increased dementia risk. Subgroup analyses revealed that these associations were particularly strong in individuals under 70 years of age (HR 4.58, 95% CI 1.12–18.81 and HR 7.21, 95% CI 1.86–28.02, respectively). Sensitivity analyses, which accounted for missing data and potential reverse causation, produced similar results.

It is concluded that Chronic and new-onset anxiety were linked to an increased risk of all-cause dementia, with significant associations observed in individuals aged 70 years and younger. In contrast, resolved anxiety at follow-up was associated with a risk level similar to that of the non-exposed group. These findings suggest that timely management of anxiety could be an effective strategy for reducing the risk of dementia.

References: 1 Dementia Statistics. Alzheimer's disease international. 2020. Accessed March 27, 2023. https://www.alzint.org/about/dementia-facts-figures/dementia-statistics