Long-term use of acid reflux drugs linked to 33% higher dementia risk, study finds

New research has issued a stark warning that long-term use of a common acid reflux medication could hike dementia risk by a staggering 33%.

The study found that individuals on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for over four and a half years might be significantly more prone to the condition. Acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid backs up into the oesophagus, can lead to heartburn, ulcers, and in chronic cases, a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

GORD, potentially leading to oesophageal cancer, affects up to 40% of Brits with regular heartburn episodes. PPIs are designed to curb stomach acid by blocking the stomach lining enzymes responsible for its production.

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However, these drugs have previously been connected to an increased risk of various health issues, including strokes, bone fractures, and kidney disease. While the latest findings from American researchers, published in Neurology, don't definitively prove PPIs cause dementia, they highlight a concerning correlation.

The study's lead, Professor Kamakshi Lakshminarayan, said: "Proton pump inhibitors are a useful tool to help control acid reflux, however long-term use has been linked in previous studies to a higher risk of stroke, bone fractures and chronic kidney disease. Still, some people take these drugs regularly, so we examined if they are linked to a higher risk of dementia."

"While we did not find a link with short-term use, we did find a higher risk of dementia associated with long-term use of these drugs." The study included more than 5,700 people, age 45 and older, who did not have dementia at the start of the study. The participants had an average age of 75. The research team determined if the participants took acid reflux drugs by reviewing their medications during study visits and during yearly phone calls.

Of the participants, 1,490 (26 per cent) had taken the drugs. They were then divided into four groups based on whether they had taken the drugs and for how long: people who didn't take the drugs; those who took the drugs for up to 2.8 years; those who took them for 2.8 to 4.4 years; and people who took them for more than 4.4 years.

The participants were then followed for an average of around 5.5 years. During that time, 585 (10 per cent) developed dementia. Of the 4,222 people who did not take the drugs, 415 people developed dementia, or 19 cases per 1,000 person-years.

Person-years represent both the number of people in the study and the amount of time each person spends in the study. Of the 497 people who took the drugs for more than 4.4 years, 58 people developed dementia, or 24 cases per 1,000 person years.

After adjusting for factors such as age, sex and race, as well as health-related issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes, the researchers calculated that people who had been taking acid reflux drugs for more than 4.4 years had a 33 per cent higher risk of developing dementia than people who never took the drugs.

Researchers did not find a higher risk of dementia for people who took the drugs for fewer than 4.4 years. Prof Lakshminarayan, of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, said: "More research is needed to confirm our findings and explore reasons for the possible link between long-term proton pump inhibitor use and a higher risk of dementia."

"While there are various ways to treat acid reflux, such as taking antacids, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding late meals and certain foods, different approaches may not work for everyone."

She added: "It is important that people taking these medications speak with their doctor before making any changes, to discuss the best treatment for them, and because stopping these drugs abruptly may result in worse symptoms."