Do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs decrease the risk for Alzheimer's disease? The Rotterdam Study.
Based on reports that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), we studied the cross-sectional relation between NSAID use and the risk for AD in a population-based study of disease and disability in older people. After controlling for age, education, gender, and use of benzodiazepines, we found a relative risk (RR) for AD of 0.38 (0.15 to 0.95) when comparing NSAID users (n = 365) to NSAID non-users (n = 5,893). To address confounding by indication or contraindication, we compared NSAID users with a subset of NSAID non-users who were using topical medication for ear, eye, or dermatologic conditions (n = 365). In this comparison, the adjusted RR for AD was 0.54 (0.16 to 1.78). These findings are compatible with a possible protective effect of NSAIDs on the risk for AD.
Andersen
K
K
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Launer
L J
LJ
Ott
A
A
Hoes
A W
AW
Breteler
M M
MM
Hofman
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal