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In recent years, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been associated to a higher risk of kidney failure, stroke, and early mortality from any cause. Millions of Americans take them daily to treat heartburn and acid reflux.
New research reveals that long-term pharmaceutical use may increase dementia risk.
A Neurology study ( Source ) found that persons 45 and older who took PPIs for over four years had a 33% increased risk of dementia than those who did not.
Dementia is an umbrella term encompassing brain cell damage-induced memory loss and cognitive impairment.
PPIs lower stomach acid by targeting stomach lining enzymes. They treat acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a dangerous condition in which food or liquid travels up from the stomach to the esophagus.
Over-the-counter PPIs relieve heartburn, a mild burning sensation caused by acid reflux.
Experts advise anyone who occasionally takes these drugs after a cookout to relax.
Linking PPIs to dementia
Kamakshi Lakshminarayan, MBBS, PhD, is a study author who found that long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may increase the risk of dementia.
She found that people who used PPIs for more than four years had a 33% higher risk of dementia.
The study also found that long-term use of PPIs may increase the risk of stroke, bone fractures, and chronic kidney disease.
Lakshminarayan and her team examined a population-based study of 5,712 adults aged 45–64 without dementia.
After controlling for age, sex, race, and health factors like diabetes and high blood pressure, researchers discovered that 58 of 497 individuals who used PPIs for approximately 4½ years had dementia.
After not taking the medications, 415 of 4,222 patients acquired dementia. People who took the medications for fewer than 4.4 years had no elevated risk.
Limitations were in the study. Participants were only queried about their medication use once a year during the trial. Thus, calculations may be erroneous if people discontinued and restarted PPI use between check-ins. The study eliminated over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and only examined prescription meds.
The researchers linked PPI overuse to dementia via B12 insufficiency and poor amyloid metabolism.
Lakshminarayan recommends that people who have been taking PPIs for more than four years should speak to a doctor.
