Abstract
BackgroundPatients with hypertension (HTN) reportedly have a higher risk of developing dementia. However, it remains unclear if use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the most common form of complementary and alternative medicine, can help lower the risk of dementia for these patients. So the aim of the study was to investigate the effects of TCM on dementia risk among patients with hypertension.MethodsThis longitudinal cohort study used the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to identify 143,382 newly diagnosed hypertension patients aged 20–90 years who received treatment between 1998 and 2007. Among them, 52,365 (36.52%) had received TCM after the onset of hypertension (TCM users), and the remaining 91,017 patients (63.48%) were designated as a control group (non-TCM users). All enrollees were followed until the end of 2012 to record the incidence of dementia. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to compute the hazard ratio (HR) of dementia in patients who received TCM.ResultsDuring the 15-year follow-up, 3933 TCM users and 10,316 non-TCM users developed dementia, representing an incidence rate of 8.41 and 11.55%, respectively, per 1000 person-years. TCM users had a significantly reduced risk of dementia compared to non-TCM users (adjusted HR = 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.74–0.81). The predominant effect was observed among those treated with TCM longer than 180 days (adjusted HR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.62–0.69). Among the commonly used TCM products, Tian-Ma-Gou-Teng-Yin, Dan-Shen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Chuan-Niu-Xi (Radix Cyathulae), Ge-Gen (Radix Puerariae), Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San, and Jue-Ming-Zi (Semen Cassiae) were significantly associated with a lower risk of dementia.ConclusionsResults from this population-based study support the effects of TCM on reducing dementia risk, which may provide a reference for dementia prevention strategies.
Highlights
Patients with hypertension (HTN) reportedly have a higher risk of developing dementia
The incidence rate of dementia was lower among Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) users than among non-TCM users (8.41 vs 11.55, respectively, per 1000 PYs), with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.76 (Table 2)
Of note, using TCM services for more than 180 days was associated with a 35% decreased risk of dementia among HTN patients
Summary
Patients with hypertension (HTN) reportedly have a higher risk of developing dementia. It remains unclear if use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the most common form of complementary and alternative medicine, can help lower the risk of dementia for these patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of TCM on dementia risk among patients with hypertension. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists have been effective for enabling patients to maintain global function, there is currently no treatment to halt or reverse the degenerative progression of dementia [3]. Previous research has indicated that several TCM herbs have shown potential benefits for dementia intervention [9], the evidence of long-term effects of TCM on dementia risk is still limited
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
