BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepine use is widespread in older people, although its benefit is uncertain. AIM: To investigate the long-term effect of benzodiazepine use upon dementia risk. METHODS: A prospective cohort of men seen on five occasions over 22 years with full medication histories, repeat measures of cognitive function and a clinical diagnosis of dementia. RESULTS: Of 1134 men with complete data, 103 (9.1%) had been taking benzodiazepines regularly at one or more phases. These men showed a marked increased incidence of dementia (OR=3.50, 95% CI 1.57 to 7.79, p=0.002), which persisted despite adjustment for psychological distress and other covariates. Men exposed in earlier phases showed a greater association than more recent exposure, counter to what one would expect if this was due to reverse causation, though we failed to demonstrate a dose-response effect with drug duration. CONCLUSION: The taking of benzodiazepines is associated with an increased risk of dementia.
BACKGROUND:Benzodiazepine use is widespread in older people, although its benefit is uncertain. AIM: To investigate the long-term effect of benzodiazepine use upon dementia risk. METHODS: A prospective cohort of men seen on five occasions over 22 years with full medication histories, repeat measures of cognitive function and a clinical diagnosis of dementia. RESULTS: Of 1134 men with complete data, 103 (9.1%) had been taking benzodiazepines regularly at one or more phases. These men showed a marked increased incidence of dementia (OR=3.50, 95% CI 1.57 to 7.79, p=0.002), which persisted despite adjustment for psychological distress and other covariates. Men exposed in earlier phases showed a greater association than more recent exposure, counter to what one would expect if this was due to reverse causation, though we failed to demonstrate a dose-response effect with drug duration. CONCLUSION: The taking of benzodiazepines is associated with an increased risk of dementia.
Authors: Ahmed M Kassem; Mary Ganguli; Kristine Yaffe; Joseph T Hanlon; Oscar L Lopez; John W Wilson; Kristine Ensrud; Jane A Cauley Journal: Aging Ment Health Date: 2017-01-10 Impact factor: 3.658
Authors: Fabienne A Biétry; Alena M Pfeil; Oliver Reich; Matthias Schwenkglenks; Christoph R Meier Journal: CNS Drugs Date: 2017-03 Impact factor: 5.749