Featured Article Benzodiazepine, psychotropic medication, and dementia: A population-based cohort study

Introduction: Benzodiazepine use has been associated with increased risk of dementia. However, it remains unclear whether the risk relates to short or long half-life benzodiazepines and whether it extends to other psychotropic drugs. Methods: Prospective cohort study among 8240 individuals � 65, interviewed on medication use. Incident dementia confirmed by an end point committee after a multistep procedure. Results: During a mean of 8 years of follow-up, 830 incident dementia cases were observed. Users of benzodiazepinesatbaselinehada10%increasedriskofdementia(adjustedhazardratio[HR],1.10;95% confidenceinterval,0.90‐1.34).However,longhalf-life(.20hours)benzodiazepineusershadamarked increased risk of dementia (HR 5 1.62; 1.11‐2.37) compared with short half-life users (HR 5 1.05; 0.85‐1.30). Users of psychotropics had an increased risk of dementia (HR 5 1.47; 1.16‐1.86). Discussion: Results of thislarge,prospectivestudyshowincreased riskof dementia forlong half-life benzodiazepine and psychotropic use. 2015 Alzheimer’s Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.