Flatt JD, et al. – This research incorporated the determination of the correlation between post–traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and risk of dementia, in terms of gender. It was deduced that PTSD was found to be a risk factor for dementia in both sexes. It displayed a heightened risk in those with comorbid depression.

Methods

• The data with regard to PTSD and comorbidities were obtained from medical records from 1/1/1996 to 12/31/2001.
• Dementia incidence from 1/1/2002 to 12/31/2014, was explored in the recruited candidates.
• 499,844 health care members aged 60+ years over an average of 8.2 years were examined.
• Cox proportional hazard models were adjusted for age, demographics, and comorbidities.

Results

• PTSD appeared to be correlated with increased risk of dementia over an average of 8 years of follow-up (females: hazard ratio [HR] = 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.30-1.95; males: HR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.51-2.55).
• A two-fold risk of dementia was noted, in those with both PTSD and depression (females: HR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.66-2.59; males: HR = 2.06; 95% CI = 1.47-2.91) compared to those without.