R. Karl Universitat Heidelberg, Germany
I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
One out of four adults aged 65 years or older are NSAIDs (including aspirin in a low, cardiovascular protective dose) in the general practice setting. However, due to their adverse risk-benefit profile in older adults, NSAIDs are considered potentially inappropriate in major potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) lists. One part of my research will be to compare the criteria of the different PIM lists with a focus on NSAIDs and to assess the prevalence of NSAIDs use as PIM in the older German population.
Although the risks and benefits of NSAIDs are well known, their potential for neuroprotection is still a matter of debate. Observational studies supported the possibility that NSAIDs could protect against dementia. However, randomized trials have yielded negative or non-favorable results so far. We aim, through a large population-based cohort with long follow-up time, to answer whether or not NSAIDs and low-dose acetylsalicylic acid exposure would impact the development of dementia.