Risk of incident dementia and cognitive impairment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A large UK population-based study

Background Although cognitive impairment and dementia are common comorbidities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), estimates of incidence following a diagnosis COPD inconclusive. Objective To determine the people without diagnosis. Methods A population-based study using UK General Practice (GP) health records from The Health Improvement Network database was conducted. Patients confirmed diagnosis, ?40 years old, were matched to up four subjects by age, sex GP practice. Cox proportional hazards models used assess rates dementia. Results Of (n = 62,148), 9% developed impairment, compared 7% 230,076), p < 0.001. greater than index date (adjusted Hazard Ratio (aHR), 1.21; 95% CI: 1.16 ? 1.26, 0.001). coded either or also adjustment for confounders (aHR: 1.13, 1.09 1.18, Coded incident alone not different between (aHR, 0.91, 0.83 1.01, 0.053). Conclusion Despite increased COPD, as frequently recorded COPD. This raises concern undiagnosed emphasises need systematic assessment this population.