P1-231: Histamine-2 receptor antagonists and cognition: Are they harmful?

Abstract

Previous published studies have produced conflicting results regarding the cognitive effects of Histamine 2 receptor Antagonists (H2As). To evaluate the association between H2As exposure and incident cognitive impairment among African Americans. Five years longitudinal observational study of a random sample of 1,900 community–dwelling African–Americans 65 years of age and older with no baseline cognitive impairment living in Indianapolis, Indiana. Outcome measure was incident cognitive impairment defined as incident dementia, incident cognitive impairment and incident poor cognitive performance determined by a combined cognitive assessment that included the Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSID),and a comprehensive clinical assessment including informant interview, and neuropsychological testing. The use of prescription and over the counter H2As as ascertained by in–home inspection of medications by trained interviewers and as reported by the participant and informant. Incident cognitive impairment occurred in 288 (15.2 %) participants. After controlling for age, education, baseline CSID, ETOH use, HTN, DM, hyperlipidemia, CVA, depression, antiplatelet use, ASA use, and Benzodiazepine use, H2As were associated with an increased risk for the future development of cognitive impairment (OR 2.52; 95 % CI 1.22–5.21). H2As might be potential risk factors for the development of cognitive impairment. This finding with potential major public health implications requires confirmation from other studies.