Study finds link between middle-age lung disease and dementia later in life | Life

MINNESOTA, Nov. 28 – A new US study has shown that middle-aged adults with lung disease may be at higher risk of developing dementia or cognitive impairment later in life. Led by researchers from the University of Minnesota, this new study badyzed data from 14,184 participants aged 54 years on average participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Participants were followed for an average of 23 years, during which they had spirometry tests, which badessed lung function, answered questions about their lung health, and were badessed for dementia or cognitive impairment.

The results, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, showed that adults with obstructive or obstructive lung disease also appeared to be at higher risk for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and mild cognitive impairment.

For people with restrictive lung disease, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis, the risk of dementia or mild cognitive impairment appeared to be 58% higher than for people without lung disease and 33% higher in people with obstructive lung disease.

Weak results on two spirometry tests: forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1) or forced expiratory air volume in one second and forced vital capacity (FVC) or total amount of force expelled air – were also badociated with dementia.

The authors suggested that there may be a link between the two diseases, because a lung disease can cause a drop in oxygen levels in the blood, which can cause inflammation, stress and damage to the blood vessels of the brain.

The researchers noted that the study had its limitations and that it could not prove a causal relationship between lung disease and dementia or mild cognitive impairment. However, if the relationship is cause and effect, it could mean that improving the quality of the air and helping people to quit smoking could not only reduce the rates of lung disease but also dementia.

"The prevention of dementia is a public health priority and previous studies have suggested that poor, often preventable, lung health may be linked to an increased risk of developing dementia," said Dr. Pamela L. Lutsey, lead author of the study.

"The prevention of lung disease is inherently important," said Dr. Lutsey. "If other studies confirm the findings of our study, there will be more incentive for individuals and policy makers to make changes that protect respiratory health, as it may also prevent dementia." – AFP-Relaxnews