Anti-Inflammatory Drugs May Raise Dementia Risk

Posted on April 28, 2009 in Consumer Goods, Health & Medicine

Popping a daily pill may harm mental health: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen and ibuprofen could increase the risk of cognitive decline, a study published in the April 22 issue of Neurology reports. Previous studies have suggested that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) lowered rates of dementia.

Researchers tracked 2,736 members of Group Health who were an average age of 75 years old at the beginning of the study. Over the course of 12 years, participants were followed to see whether they developed dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Participants’ pharmacy records were analyzed for use of prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers, and they were questioned about their NSAID use as well. People who took at least one NSAID a day for at least 16 months of a two-year period were classified as heavy NSAID users.

Results showed that 476 of the participants developed dementia, and heavy NSAID users had a 66% higher chance of developing the disease than those who had little or no use.  Based on study findings alone, people should not be taking NSAIDS to prevent dementia, study author Eric B. Larson said. However, patients who already take the medications for pain purposes should continue using them. The relationship between non-steroidal drugs and Alzheimer’s appears to be “more complex than was earlier believed,” the study authors wrote.

The study does not disprove that inflammation may be a factor in Alzheimer’s, as found in previous research.