According to health experts, people with diabetes are more likely to develop dementia compared to those who do not have this condition. Now, a new study claims people with type 2 diabetes patients who took the drug pioglitazone for the disease were less likely to later have dementia than those who did not take the drug, as per a press release on Feb. 15. If you have diabetes and are looking to sell your diabetic supplies, Diabetic Exchange USA can help.
The study's results were strongest for people who also had a history of ischemic heart disease or stroke, a condition brought on by constricted arteries in the heart.
However, it is important to note that the study does not provide evidence that the drug decreases the risk of dementia for diabetes patients, instead, it merely shows an association.
Opportunity for Intervening
"Since dementia develops for years before diagnosis, there may be an opportunity for intervening before it progresses," study author Eosu Kim of Yonsei University in Seoul, said in a statement.
"These results may suggest that we could use a personalized approach to preventing dementia in people with diabetes in the case that they have a history of ischemic heart disease or stroke."
The national health database of South Korea was searched for individuals with type 2 diabetes who had just received their diagnosis but did not have dementia for the study. An average of ten years were spent monitoring them. 91,218 people took part, and 3,467 of them received the drug pioglitazone.
Dementia occurred in 8.3% of study participants who were taking pioglitazone versus 10.0% of those who were not taking it.
After controlling for additional variables that may increase dementia risks, such as high blood pressure, smoking, and physical activity, researchers discovered that those taking pioglitazone had a 16% lower risk of developing the condition than those who did not.
With decreased risks of 54% and 43%, the effect was greater for those with a history of ischemic heart disease or stroke.
As participants used the medicine for extended periods of time, the reduced risk also increased.
Participants who took the drug for four years had a 37% lower risk of dementia compared to non-users, whereas those who took it for one to two years were associated with a 22% lower risk.
During the research, those taking the medication had a lower risk of having a stroke as well.
Side Effects
Kim pointed out that pioglitazone's side effects include swelling, weight gain, bone loss, and congestive heart failure. Further study is required to determine the drug's long-term safety and whether there is a best dosage that would limit the side effects while retaining its benefits.
Due to the study's reliance on insurance claims for prescription information, there is a chance that some participants did not take their medications exactly as directed.
The results of the study were published in the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
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