Dementia could be caused by polypharmacy

Polypharmacy—taking three or more medications at the same time—could be increasing the chances of dementia.

Around 82 percent of dementia patients are taking multiple prescription meds, say researchers from the University of Plymouth.

In a study of more than 33,000 dementia patients, the researchers discovered that polypharmacy was very common in the final five years before a dementia diagnosis.  

Around 65 percent of the patients were taking multiple meds for respiratory or urinary infections, rheumatism and heart disease, while a further 22 percent were being treated for infection, cardio-metabolic disease and depression.

Doctors need to understand the way common drugs can impair cognition, the researchers say.

Dementia cases are projected to rise to 1.6 million in the UK alone by 2040.

Aging and Disease, 2022’ doi: 10.14336/AD.2022.0829

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