Abstract
Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and COVID-19 share common risk factors including hypertension. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) are frequently prescribed antihypertension medications. Methods: This study analyzed 436,823 veterans tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We conducted both classical and propensity score weighted logistic models to compare COVID-19 outcomes between patients with AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to those without cognitive impairment, and examined effect of ACEI/ARB prescription. Results: There was a statistically significant association between AD and increased odds of infection and mortality. MCI was not found to be a risk factor for infection. Subjects with MCI exhibited poor clinical outcomes. Prescribing ARBs but not ACEIs was significantly associated with a lower risk of COVID-19 occurrence among AD and MCI patients. Discussion: Exploring beneficial effects of existing medications to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on patients with AD or MCI is highly significant. Highlights: There is significant association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and increased risk of COVID-19 infection and odds of mortality. Subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) defined by claims data exhibit poor clinical outcomes, but MCI was not found to be a risk factor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Prescribing angiotensin II receptor blockers was significantly associated with a lower risk of COVID-19 occurrence among AD/MCI patients.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 911-923 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Alzheimer's and Dementia |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2022 |
Keywords
- Alzheimer's disease
- COVID-19
- angiotensin II receptor blockers
- angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
- mild cognitive impairment
- severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Epidemiology
- Health Policy
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Clinical Neurology
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Psychiatry and Mental health