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Study links sleep meds and dementia risk in older adults
Key clinical point: Routine use of sleep medication was associated with increased risk of incident dementia in older adults over an 8-year period.
Major finding: Adults older than 65 years who reported routine use of sleep medication showed a 30% increased risk of dementia, compared with those who did not use sleep medications.
Study details: The data come from participants in the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally representative longitudinal study of Medicare beneficiaries; the study population included 6,373 adults aged 65 years and older.
Disclosures: The study was supported by awards K01HL150339, U54MD000538, K07AG052685, R01AG056531, R01AG056031. Lead author Dr. Robbins had no financial conflicts to disclose.
Robbins R et al. Sleep Med. 2020 Nov 11. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.11.004.