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Patients with lupus had increased risk for dementia
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Compared with matched controls, patients with lupus were 2.14-times more likely to have dementia, according to a recently published study.
“Our study demonstrated that [systemic lupus erythematosus] SLE is a risk factor for dementia, and we hypothesized that the underlying mechanism is associated with the cerebrovascular aspect and autoantibodies, resulting in the destruction of the central nervous system, including the hippocampus and amygdala,” Yu-Ru Lin, MD, at Shuan Ho Hospital and Taipei Medical University in Taiwan, and colleagues wrote.
The researchers evaluated the incidence of dementia in patients who were treated at Shuan Ho Hospital between 2004 and 2008. Of the patients, 1,074 were diagnosed with lupus and 5,370 were not diagnosed with lupus. Follow-up was until dementia diagnosis or the start of 2011. Researchers used the Kalpan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis to assess data.
Researchers found the rate of dementia in the lupus cohort was 357 per 100,000 person-years compared with 180 per 100,000 person-years in the non-lupus cohort. After adjusting for other comorbid diseases, researchers found patients with lupus had a higher risk for dementia (hazard ratio = 2.14).
“To improve the quality of life for patients with SLE, implementing dementia prevention strategies is crucial,” the researchers wrote. “The higher risk of dementia found in SLE patients might be determined by several factors, such as the disease itself, the higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and medication use.” – by Will Offit
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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