Thread by @hyderabaddoctor

Perceived stress increases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia

1. A recent study looked at the association of perceived stress and incidence of cognitive impairment in a long-term follow up study
jamanetwork.com/journals/jaman…

2. 24,448 people (median age 64 years) were followed up for >15 years. Elevated levels of perceived stress (dichotomized as low stress vs elevated stress) was associated with 1.37 times higher odds of poor cognition.

3. The association of the change in the Perceived Stress Scale score with incident cognitive impairment was significant in both the unadjusted model (OR, 1.62) and after adjustment for sociodemographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors, and depression (AOR, 1.39).
#dementia

4. The study suggests that there is an independent association between perceived stress and both prevalent and incident cognitive impairment.
The findings suggest the need for regular screening and targeted interventions for stress among older adults.

5. Take home message
*Stress is a modifiable risk factor for reducing the risk of cognitive impairment & dementia.
*Adults should be screened for the presence of perceived stress.
*Stress mitigation and teaching coping mechanisms against stress can reduce the risk of dementia.

6. Perceived stress is defined as a consequence of events or demands that exceed an individual’s professed ability to cope.
Stress is also associated with excess morbidity and death related to stroke and heart attack.
#MedTwitter #stressmanagement