People who have protein in their urine, which is a sign of kidney problems, may also be more likely to later develop problems with thinking and memory skills or even dementia, according to a meta-analysis published in the December 14, 2016, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
The researchers looked at all available studies on kidney problems and the development of cognitive impairment or dementia.
"Kidney dysfunction has been considered a possible risk factor for cognitive impairment or dementia," said Kay Deckers, MSc, of Maastricht University in the Netherlands, author of the systematic review and meta-analysis. "Chronic kidney disease and dementia share many risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, and both show similar effects on the brain, so they may have shared vascular factors or there may even be a direct effect on the brain from kidney problems."
A total of 22 studies on the topic were included in the systematic review. Five of the studies, including 27,805 people, were evaluated in the meta-analysis on protein in the urine, also called albuminuria or proteinuria. The analysis showed that people with protein in the urine were 35 percent more likely to develop cognitive impairment or dementia than people who did not have protein in their urine.
For another marker of kidney function, estimated glomerular filtration rate, the results were mixed and did not show an association. For three other markers of kidney function, cystatin C, serum creatinine and creatinine clearance, no meta-analysis could be completed because the few studies available did not use the same methods and could not be compared.
"Protein in the urine was associated with a modestly increased risk of cognitive impairment or dementia," Deckers said. "More research is needed to determine whether the kidney problems are a cause of the cognitive problems or if they are both caused by the same mechanisms."
Materials provided by American Academy of Neurology (AAN). Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Disclaimer: DoveMed is not responsible for the adapted accuracy of news releases posted to DoveMed by contributing universities and institutions.
Primary Resource:
Kay Deckers, Ileana Camerino, Martin P.J. van Boxtel, Frans R.J. Verhey, Kate Irving, Carol Brayne, Miia Kivipelto, John M. Starr, Kristine Yaffe, Peter W. de Leeuw, and Sebastian Köhler. Dementia risk in renal dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Neurology, December 2016 DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000003482%0D
and connect with fellow professionals
At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process.
Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness.
As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.
0 Comments
Please log in to post a comment.