Proton-Pump Inhibitors and Dementia Risk

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcers, may increase dementia risk, although research has shown mixed results. In this study, researchers determined whether PPI use was associated with incident dementia, assessing data from an epidemiologic cohort of four U.S. communities that began Visit 1 assessments from 1987 to 1989. This analysis included participants who were free of dementia at Visit 5 of the larger study (2011–2013). PPI use was determined by visual inventory and study phone call reports of medications. Cumulative PPI exposure was based on years of PPI use before Visit 5. Incident dementia was based on in-person examinations, a telephone cognitive screener, hospital discharge c…