Late-life affective disorders and risk of progression to dementia: retrospective cohort study of patients in secondary care

Abstract

Background

Late-life affective disorders (LLADs) are common and are projected to increase by 2050. There have been several studies linking late-life depression to an increased risk of dementia, but it is unclear if bipolar affective disorder or anxiety disorders pose a similar risk.

Aims

We aimed to compare the risk of LLADs progressing to all-cause dementia, and the demographic and clinical variables mediating the risk.

Methods

We used the South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust Clinical Records Interactive Search system to identify patients aged 60 years or older with a diagnosis of any affective disorder. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine differences in dementia risk between late-life anxiety disorders versus late-life depression, and late-life bipolar disorder versus late-life depression. Demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the risk of dementia were investigated.

Results

Some 5695 patients were identified and included in the final analysis. Of these, 388 had a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder, 1365 had a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder and 3942 had a diagnosis of a depressive disorder. Bipolar affective disorder was associated with a lower hazard of developing dementia compared to depression (adjusted model including demographics and baseline cognition, hazard ratio: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.41–0.87). Anxiety disorders had a similar hazard of developing dementia (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.90–1.22). A prior history of a depressive disorder reduced the risk of late-life depression progressing to dementia – suggesting the new onset of a depressive disorder in later life is associated with higher risk – but a prior history of anxiety disorders or bipolar affective disorder did not alter risk.

Conclusions

LLADs have a differential risk of developing all-cause dementia, with demographic- and illness-related factors influencing the risk. Further prospective cohort studies are needed to explore the link between LLADs and dementia development, and mediators of the lower risk of dementia associated with late-life bipolar disorder compared to late-life depression.