Long-term use of a certain type of acid reflux medication could increase the risk of dementia by a third, according to research. Scientists discovered that individuals who take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for over four-and-a-half years were 33 per cent more likely to develop the debilitating health condition.
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, typically after eating or while lying down. Those suffering from acid reflux may experience heartburn and ulcers, and frequent bouts can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), which can result in oesophageal cancer.
GORD is a widespread issue, with up to 40 per cent of the UK population regularly experiencing heartburn. PPIs work by reducing stomach acid, targeting the enzymes in the stomach lining responsible for its production.
However, this medication has previously been linked to an increased risk of stroke, fractures, and kidney disease.
The American research team, whose findings were published in the journal Neurology, emphasised that their study does not prove that acid reflux drugs cause dementia, but rather shows a correlation, reports Surrey Live.
The study’s author, vascular neurologist Professor Kamakshi Lakshminarayan, stated: “Proton pump inhibitors are a useful tool to help control acid reflux, however long-term use has been linked in previous studies to a higher risk of stroke, bone fractures and chronic kidney disease. Still, some people take these drugs regularly, so we examined if they are linked to a higher risk of dementia.
“While we did not find a link with short-term use, we did find a higher risk of dementia associated with long-term use of these drugs.”
The research looked at more than 5,700 individuals, aged 45 and above, who showed no signs of dementia at the study’s commencement. The participants had an average age of 75.
The research team established whether the participants consumed acid reflux medication by examining their prescriptions during study appointments and through annual telephone consultations.
Among the participants, 1,490 (26 percent) had consumed the medications.
They were subsequently categorised into four groups depending on whether they had consumed the medications and the duration: individuals who didn’t consume the medications; those who consumed the medications for up to 2.8 years; those who consumed them for 2.8 to 4.4 years; and individuals who consumed them for more than 4.4 years.
The participants were subsequently monitored for an average of approximately 5.5 years. During this period, 585 (10 percent) developed dementia.
Among the 4,222 individuals who did not consume the medications, 415 people developed dementia, representing 19 cases per 1,000 person-years.
Person-years signify both the number of individuals in the research and the duration each person participates in the study.
Among the 497 individuals who consumed the medications for more than 4.4 years, 58 people developed dementia, representing 24 cases per 1,000 person years.
After accounting for factors such as age, sex and race, as well as health-related issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes, the researchers determined that people who had been taking acid reflux medications for more than 4.4 years had a 33 percent higher risk of developing dementia than people who never took the drugs.
Researchers did not discover a higher risk of dementia for people who took the drugs for fewer than 4.4 years.
Prof Lakshminarayan, of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, said: “More research is needed to confirm our findings and explore reasons for the possible link between long-term proton pump inhibitor use and a higher risk of dementia.
“While there are various ways to treat acid reflux, such as taking antacids, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding late meals and certain foods, different approaches may not work for everyone.”
She added: “It is important that people taking these medications speak with their doctor before making any changes, to discuss the best treatment for them, and because stopping these drugs abruptly may result in worse symptoms.”