Psychotic Disorders May Raise Risk for Later Dementia

TUESDAY, Oct. 18, 2022 (HealthDay News) — There is a substantial association between psychotic disorders and subsequent dementia, according to a review published online Oct. 6 in Psychological Medicine.

Sara El Miniawi, from University College London, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to identify longitudinal studies investigating nonaffective psychotic disorders and subsequent dementia.

The researchers found that pooled data from 11 studies (about 13 million participants) showed nonaffective psychotic disorders were associated with an increased risk for all-cause dementia (risk ratio, 2.52). The associations were stronger in studies with shorter follow-up periods, conducted in non-European countries, published in 2020 or later, and in which ≥60 percent of the sample was female. Additionally, the dementia risk was higher in people aged younger than 60 years at baseline, in typical and late-onset psychotic disorders versus very late-onset psychosis, in broader psychotic disorders versus schizophrenia, and in prospective versus retrospective studies. Even when excluding low-quality studies, the associations remained (pooled risk ratio, 2.50).

“As people with psychotic disorders face a higher risk of numerous other health conditions, managing their overall physical and mental health is very important, and here we found that health professionals working with them should also be watchful for any signs of cognitive decline,” El Miniawi said in a statement.

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