Long-term use of acid reflux medications linked to higher dementia risk

[TygrBright]

8. Well, stop worrying. This is the media doing bullshit to science again, as always. Check it out:

A buzzy new study on heartburn meds and dementia doesn’t actually clarify anything

Large studies have shown that people taking PPIs are more likely to have other medical conditions than people who aren’t taking them. In a recent study involving 19,000 patients, people who took these medications were more likely to also be taking medications to treat high blood pressure and cholesterol, for example.

These differences are particularly important when dementia is the outcome researchers are looking for because high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes are themselves thought to increase dementia risk. Indeed, in the study published Wednesday, PPI users were more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes than nonusers, making them more likely to develop dementia.

That makes it challenging to isolate any risks PPIs might have from the risks associated with the diseases they’re being used to treat, said Desai. However, several large studies have aimed to do so — and it’s worth looking at their results alongside the ones that are currently getting a lot of attention.

Basically: The study noticed correlations. NOT causation. Study authors, responsibly, noted them. Did NOT conclude there was a causative link.

But media went apeshit because so many people use PPIs, they'd get LOTS of clicks and views by mentioning the correlation, which is essentially meaninglyss (reading the whole Vox article has more detail about that.)

If you need them, take them. You'll be fine.

Once again, the silver salmon of truth loses out against the raging torrent of media bullshit...

wearily,
Bright