The Effect of Anxiety on the Risk of Developing Dementia

A recently published study led by researchers at the University of Newcastle in Australia, explored the relationship between chronic versus resolved versus new onset anxiety, and all-cause dementia risk.

This longitudinal study followed 2,132 people aged 60 to 81 over a 10-year period. Anxiety levels were recorded twice over the 10-year period using the Kessler psychological distress scale. Those who reported anxiety on both occasions were categorised as having chronic anxiety, with those only reporting on the second occasion as having new onset anxiety.

The study discovered that individuals with chronic anxiety were 2.8 times more likely to develop dementia, while those with new onset anxiety were 3.2 times more likely to develop dementia compared to people who did not report these conditions. It was also found that individuals who reported anxiety during the first assessment but not the second did not have a higher risk of developing dementia.

Chronic and new anxiety were found to be linked to a higher risk of all-cause dementia, and this connection was particularly notable in individuals aged 70 and younger. However, the risk was reduced for those whose anxiety had resolved by the follow-up, resembling the risk level of the group that had not been exposed to anxiety.

Overall, the study’s findings suggest that effective and timely management of anxiety could be a successful strategy in reducing the risk of developing dementia.

You can also read more about this study and ways to combat anxiety in Jillian Wilson’s related article.