Scientists from the University of Southern Denmark found that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have higher risks of dementia and depression.
The research was presented at the 2022 EULAR Congress and was conducted by Dr. Jens Kristian Pedersen et al.
Growing evidence suggests people with RA have a higher risk of developing dementia. However, the incidence of dementia among RA patients has declined in recent years.
It is unknown if this reflects broader trends of dementia incidence over time, treatment advances yielding better control of RA, or other factors.
In the current study, the team used data from the DANBIO registry to describe the all-cause mortality risk linked to depression in patients with RA.
The group used the first filling of a prescription for antidepressants as a proxy for depression. Among 11,071 RA patients, 10% had filled prescriptions for antidepressants.
Analysis showed depression was linked to more than 600% increased mortality risk in people with RA.
The key finding was that clinically active RA, among other risk factors, is associated with an elevated risk of dementia.
The incidence of dementia increased by 2–3% every 5 years after the diagnosis of RA, and older age at RA incidence was consistently associated with risk of dementia.
The team also found the presence of rheumatoid nodules, large joint swelling, hypertension, heart failure, and depression at baseline or during the first year after RA incidence was significantly associated with the risk of dementia.
Large joint swelling, heart disease, anxiety, and depression at any time increased the risk of dementia.
Studies are ongoing to evaluate the role of systemic inflammation and its interactions with other risk factors on the risk of cognitive decline in patients with RA.
The authors note that appropriate evaluation of dementia is required when cognitive impairment occurs in RA patients.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about supplements that could keep dementia at bay, and these heartburn drugs may increase the risk of dementia.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about common foods that could sharpen your brain, and a recent case shows standing at a church pulpit, a blood vessel burst in her brain.
Copyright © 2022 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
