Popular acid reflux medicine linked to higher risk of dementia: study

Long-term use of popular acid reflux drugs has been linked to a higher risk of dementia, according to a new study.

Published Wednesday in the journal for the American Academy of Neurology, the report examined patients who take medications called proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium) and lansoprazole (Prevacid).

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows into the esophagus and irritates the lining, typically after a meal and when one is lying down. PPIs treat frequent acid reflux, stomach ulcers and other digestive tract issues by targeting acid-producing enzymes in the stomach lining.

It’s common to experience acid reflux from time to time, but when it becomes frequent, it can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease, which in turn can lead to cancer of the esophagus, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“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,” said study author Kamakshi Lakshminarayan, a researcher at the University of Minnesota and member of the American Academy of Neurology, in a press release on Thursday.

With support from the National Institutes of Health, researchers enlisted 5,712 survey subjects aged 45 and older, of an average age of 75 and not been previously diagnosed with dementia symptoms. The study lasted for five and a half years.

“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,” Lakshminarayan said.

Volunteers were split into four groups based on how long they had used PPIs: for up to 2.8 years, 2.8 to 4.4 years or over 4.4 years, or not at all.

After adjusting for factors such as age, sex and race, as well as health-related factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes, the researchers found the 4.4-year group at a 33% higher risk from dementia than those who’d never taken the drugs.

However, the researchers found no evidence of a higher risk of dementia for those who’d taken the meds for less than 4.4 years.

There are a few limitations on the study findings, including that a participant might have been on and off the drug in between check-ins, resulting in potentially inaccurate estimations, or whether or not the subjects took an over-the-counter medicine.

Moving forward, researchers hope to expand on their findings, Lakshminarayan said.

She concluded her statements with an advisory for acid reflux patients.

“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,” Lakshminarayan warned. “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.”