Dementia: a significant consumption of alcohol is a risk factor

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AFP

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 18:33

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Tuesday, February 20, 2018 18:33

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A heavy and regular alcohol is a major risk factor for all types of dementia, especially dementia at an early age, according to a study published Wednesday and based on data of the French hospitals.

On more than 57,000 cases of dementia early observed in France between 2008 and 2013, more than half were either directly attributable to brain injury, alcohol-related (39%) is accompanied by an excessive consumption of energy (18%), according to the study published in the journal Lancet, Public Health.

In addition, excessive consumption of alcohol was associated with a risk three times greater of dementia (all types), according to a study by the society for the statistical analysis Then (Translational health economics network), based in Paris, and Inserm (public research institute and French).

According to the world health Organization (WHO), 47 million people are living with dementia worldwide, of which 60% to 70% suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. We speak of early dementia before age 65.

“A significant consumption of alcohol should be recognized as a major risk factor for all types of dementia,” said one of the authors of the study, dr. Michael Schwarzinger, which advocates the screening of excessive consumption of alcohol.

“The link between dementia and alcohol requires further research, but is likely due to the fact that alcohol causes permanent damage to the brain,” he continued.

In addition, he stressed that a heavy consumption of alcohol is associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems: factors that may increase the risk of vascular dementia (disorder appearing after cerebrovascular accidents).

“This study provides new data that suggests that alcohol use disorders are strongly associated with a risk of dementia,” commented one independent expert, dr David Llewellyn, quoted by the Science media centre.

“But reducing consumption is important does not necessarily reduce the risk of dementia or the delay,” he nuanced by stressing that this type of study does not prove a causal link.

The study is based on figures from the Program of medicalization of the information systems of French hospitals (PMSI), and focuses on more than 1.1 million people diagnosed with a type of dementia between 2008 and 2013.

Over the same period, about 945.000 people were diagnosed with alcohol-related disorders.