DRUGS taken by thousands of Britons to treat overactive bladder have been linked to dementia in a new study.
Some forms of medication have been found to increase the risk of dementia by around a third.
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Drug used to treat overactive bladder linked to increased risk of dementiaCredit: Getty
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Anticholinergics work on patients with an overactive bladder by reducing the activity of certain muscles to stop bladder contractions Credits: Getty
Anticholinergics are a class of drugs that block the activity of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger in the brain and body that helps transmit signals between nerves and muscles.
They are used to treat a variety of conditions, including overactive bladder – a condition that affects more than 4.5 million people in the UK, according to the NHS.
For an overactive bladder, they work by reducing the activity of certain muscles to stop bladder contractions.
This reduces the frequency of bladder contractions, which in turn reduces the urge to urinate.
But a new study of one million Britons found the pills could increase the risk of dementia by around a third.
British scientists reviewed the health records of 170,742 patients in England over the age of 55 with dementia and compared them with 800,000 patients without the disease.
It found that taking anticholinergics can increase the risk of a dementia diagnosis by 18 percent.
The increased risk was also found to be slightly higher in men (22 percent) compared to women (16 percent).
It has also been found that certain types of drugs may carry a much higher risk.
Those prescribed oxybutynin hydrochloride had a 31 percent higher risk of developing the condition.
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Those taking tolterodine tartrate showed a 27 percent higher risk.
But research, published in the British Medical Journal, found that some types of anticholinergics did not increase the risk of dementia.
This includes:
- darifenacin
- fesoterodine fumarate
- flavoxate hydrochloride
- propiverine hydrochloride
- trispium chloride
The researchers concluded that clinicians must “consider the possible long-term risks and consequences of available treatment options for overactive bladder in the elderly.”
Also, that doctors should “consider prescribing an alternative treatment that may be associated with a lower risk of dementia.”
Experts did, however, analyze a non-anticholinergic drug called mirabegron, which is also prescribed to patients with overactive bladder.
Unlike anticholinergics, mirabegron works by activating beta-3 adrenergic receptors in the bladder, causing the bladder muscle to relax and increase its ability to store urine.
Although there was some evidence of an association with dementia, the researchers noted that the data was not clear and that further research was needed.
How the study was conducted
The 170,742 Britons with dementia who formed part of the study’s analysis had taken the anticholinergic drug or mirabegron for three to 16 years before their dementia diagnosis.
Each Briton with dementia was then matched with a participant from a control group of 800,000 people, for their exact age, gender and GP practice.
But the study had a number of limitations – one of them being a lack of data on the exact doses given to patients, meaning the authors couldn’t fully investigate whether higher doses of some drugs led to an increased risk of dementia over time.
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Certain types of anticholinergics may carry a much higher risk of dementia, according to research Credit: Getty
Why can anticholinergics contribute to dementia?
Exactly how drugs affect the brain is not fully understood.
But anticholinergics are thought to contribute to dementia because they block the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter crucial for memory and cognitive function in the brain.
Previous studies have also linked anticholinergics to dementia.
A study published in 2018 in the BMJ found that long-term use of anticholinergics for depression, as well as Parkinson’s disease (such as procyclidine) and loss of bladder control (for example, oxybutynin, solifenacin and tolterodine) were associated with a higher risk of dementia. .
A study published in 2019 also found that exposure to several types of strong anticholinergic drugs was associated with an increased risk of dementia.
The researchers said the results underscore the importance of reducing exposure to anticholinergic drugs in middle-aged and older adults.
A doctor recently found that five common drugs can increase the risk of dementia.
How to reduce the risk of dementia
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of developing dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society offers the following tips:
Do regular physical exercise
Regular physical activity is considered one of the best ways to reduce the risk of dementia. There are two main types – aerobic activity and strength-building activity. Aerobic activity includes activities such as brisk walking, running and swimming. Building strength includes exercises like squats and push-ups. A combination of both types of activities is best.
Drink less alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol exposes your brain to high levels of harmful chemicals. You should avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol each week. That’s the equivalent of one pint of beer and a small glass of wine every day.
Don’t smoke
Smoking damages blood circulation, especially blood vessels in the brain. The sooner you stop smoking, the more brain damage you will avoid.
Stay mentally healthy and socially active
People who experience periods of depression and are socially isolated are at greater risk of developing dementia. Interesting
in social activities can help build your brain’s ability to de-stress and improve your mood.
Manage long-term health conditions
Certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, can increase your risk of developing dementia. It is advised to go for a health checkup to see if you have any of the above. Good nutrition and regular exercise can help prevent and manage these conditions.
Protect your sight and hearing
Uncorrected vision loss can increase the risk of dementia. Similarly, hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of dementia and could be an early symptom. The use of hearing aids has been proven to reduce the risk of dementia to the level of a person with normal hearing.
Protect your head
Traumatic brain injuries caused by a blow or jolt to the head, especially when the person is unconscious, can trigger a process in the brain where Alzheimer’s-causing substances build up around the injured area. If you are in a situation where there is a higher than normal risk of head injury, such as cycling or playing cricket, make sure you wear protective headgear.
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Source: HIS Education