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Lower Kidney Function May Up Dementia Risk in Older Adults

In addition, steeper decline in eGFR within one year associated with higher dementia risk

THURSDAY, May 6, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Lower kidney function is associated with an increased risk for dementia in older adults, according to a study published online May 5 in Neurology.

Hong Xu, M.D., Ph.D., from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, and colleagues examined the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the risk for dementia among 329,822 residents of Stockholm aged 65 years and older. In addition, the rate of eGFR decline was estimated among 205,622 residents with repeated eGFR measurements during the first year of observation; the association with subsequent dementia risk was examined.

During a median follow-up of five years, 18,983 cases of dementia (5.8 percent of participants) were detected. The researchers found that with lower eGFR, dementia incidence rates were progressively higher: from 6.56 to 30.28/1,000 person-years in those with eGFR of 90 to 104 mL/min/1.73 m2 and <30mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Lower eGFR was associated with higher dementia risk after multivariable adjustment (hazard ratios, 1.71 and 2.62 for eGFR of 30 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m2 and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively, compared with eGFR of 90 to 104 mL/min/1.73 m2). Higher dementia risk was seen in association with a steeper decline in eGFR within one year (decline greater than 2 mL/min/1.73 m2). Compared with Alzheimer disease, for vascular dementia, the risk magnitudes were stronger. Up to 10 percent of dementia cases could be attributed to eGFR of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2.

“If we could prevent or delay some cases of dementia by preventing or treating kidney disease, that could have important public health benefits,” Xu said in a statement.

One author disclosed financial ties to Baxter Healthcare Corporation.

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