Long-term heavy alcohol intake is linked to an increased risk of all types of dementia, French researchers report today.
Researchers took information from the French National Hospital Discharge database and included patients in France over 20 years who were treated for alcohol-related brain damage, vascular dementia, or other dementias.
Dr Michael Schwarzinger, of the Translational Health Economics Network, France, analysed all 1.1 million patients in this group seen between 2008 and 2013. Of these patients, 5% were diagnosed with early-onset dementia.
Analysis showed that "about 3% of dementia cases were attributable to alcohol-related brain damage, and other alcohol use disorders were recorded in almost 5% of dementia cases", the team reports in today’s (21 February) Lancet Public Health.
The rate of these conditions increased in early-onset dementia, where 39% of cases were attributable to alcohol-related brain damage, and 18% had other alcohol use disorders.
"Overall, alcohol use disorders were associated with a three times greater risk of all types of dementia and were the strongest modifiable risk factor for dementia onset," the authors state.
Dr Schwarzinger adds: "The link between dementia and alcohol use disorders needs further research, but is likely a result of alcohol leading to permanent structural and functional brain damage. Alcohol use disorders also increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure, which may in turn increase the risk of vascular dementia.
"Lastly, heavy drinking is associated with tobacco smoking, depression, and low educational attainment, which are also risk factors for dementia."
Commenting on the study, Professor Clive Ballard of Exeter, UK, says: "This evidence is robust and we should move forward with clear public health messages about the relationship between both alcohol use disorders and alcohol consumption, respectively, and dementia."
Schwarzinger, M. et al. Contribution of alcohol use disorders to the burden of dementia in France 200813: a nationwide retrospective cohort study. The Lancet Public Health 21 February 2018 doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(18)30022-7 [abstract]
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