A new study published online in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has found that adults in middle age who suffer from lung disease may be at an increased risk of developing dementia later in life. According to the researchers, this goes for both restrictive and obstructive lung diseases, but the connection is stronger in those with restrictive pulmonary conditions.
“Preventing dementia is a public health priority, and previous studies have suggested that poor lung health, which is often preventable, may be linked to a greater risk of developing dementia,” said the study’s lead author, Dr. Lutsey. “In this study, we looked at the long-term association between poor lung function and the risk of developing dementia, using high-quality measures.”
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The researchers gathered data from 14,000 participants, aged on average 54 years old. They selected the participants by determining the if they had undergone spirometry, a test focused on lung health, in middle age. The average follow-up period of the study was 23 years for each participant, after which time they were tested for cognitive impairment and signs of dementia.
Lung Disease Increases Risk of Dementia
In total, there were 1,407 cases of dementia diagnosed among the participants. Compared to a control group of participants without lung disease, those with obstructive lung diseases showed a 33 percent increase in their risk of developing dementia or mild cognitive impairment later in life.
This risk increased to 58 percent among those with restrictive lung diseases. From the spirometry tests performed at the outset of the study, the study authors made two links to dementia. Lower results on forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) at the beginning of the study were associated with an increased risk of dementia at the end of the study’s follow up period.
Unfortunately, many of the participants were deceased before they had been tested for any signs of dementia or cognitive impairment, limiting the results of the study. In the future, the researchers advise that lung function should be tested throughout the study period, rather than just the once at the beginning of the study, as was done in this case.
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Although these findings are only correlational, the researchers speculate that the cause of the link between the conditions may be due to lower blood oxygen levels in those with lung diseases, resulting in increased inflammation, which can stress the blood vessels in the brain and cause damage to them.
“Preventing lung disease is inherently important,” said Dr. Lutsey. “If other studies confirm our study’s findings, both individuals and policymakers will have an added incentive to make changes that protect lung health, as doing so may also prevent dementia.” The researchers added that this could inspire many people to quit smoking and could eventually lead to additional legislation against smoking, which is a leading cause of lung disease worldwide.
Also Read:
- How dementia progresses: The 7 stages of dementia
- Types of dementia: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Parkinson’s disease
- Effective Yoga Poses for Brainpower
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
