Hospitalization for Infection and Risk for Dementia in Older Adults

In individuals aged ≥75, the risk for developing dementia was doubled after hospitalization with pneumonia.

With the older population expanding in many countries, dementia has become an enormous health problem worldwide. Previous studies have suggested that an episode of severe infection may worsen cognitive decline in older adults (NEJM JW Infect Dis Sep 17 2013). But does less-severe infection increase the risk for dementia?

To explore this issue, researchers conducted a secondary analysis of data from a randomized, multicenter trial conducted in the U.S. and designed to determine the effect of Gingko biloba on incident dementia. Participants — 3069 community-dwelling adults aged ≥75 (mean age at enrollment, 78.6; 54% men; 5% nonwhite) — were followed for a median of 6.1 years between 2000 and 2008. At baseline, most had normal cognitive functio…

Reviewing Author

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Hospitalization for Infection and Risk for Dementia in Older Adults

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Reviewing Author