Infectious Disease Burden and the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Population-Based Study

Background: Previous studies suggested a link between various infectious pathogens and the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), posing question whether could present novel modifiable risk factor. Objective: To assess burden due to clinically apparent infections is associated with an increased AD. Methods: We conducted population-based nested case-control study using United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink. included all dementia-free subjects ≥50 years age enrolling in database January 1988 December 2017. Each case AD identified during follow-up was matched up 40 controls. Conditional logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) 95% confidence intervals (CIs) ≥1 infection diagnosed > 2 before index date compared no period. further stratified by time since first cumulative number infections. Results: The cohort overall 4,262,092 individuals (mean at entry 60.4 years; 52% female). During median 10.5 years, 40,455 cases were 1,610,502 Compared having disease, increase (OR, 1.05; CI, 1.02 1.08). longer infection, peaking after 12–30 1.11; 1.05–1.17). did not Conclusion: small but gradually infection.