The association between liver fibrosis score and incident dementia: A nationwide retrospective cohort study

Galit Weinstein, Yochai Schonmann, Hanny Yeshua, Shira Zelber-Sagi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We assessed the relationship of liver fibrosis score with incident dementia in a large, national sample. METHODS: For this retrospective cohort study, data of dementia-free individuals aged 40-69 years were derived from electronic records of the largest healthcare provider in Israel. The association between liver fibrosis score (FIB-4), assessed from routine laboratory measurements, and incident dementia was explored through multivariate cox regression models. RESULTS: Of the total sample (N = 826,578, mean age 55 ± 8 years at baseline), 636,967 (77%) had no fibrosis, 180,114 (21.8%) had inconclusive fibrosis status and 9497 (1.2%) had high risk for advanced fibrosis. Over a median follow-up of 17 years, 41,089 dementia cases were recorded. Inconclusive liver fibrosis and advanced fibrosis were associated with increased dementia risk (HR = 1.09, 95%CI: 1.07–1.11 and HR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.10–1.27, respectively). This association remained robust through seven sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Liver fibrosis assessed through a serum-based algorithm may serve as a risk factor for dementia in the general population. Highlights: Liver fibrosis may predict dementia diagnosis in the general population. Inconclusive liver fibrosis was associated with 9% increased dementia risk. Advanced liver fibrosis was associated with 18% increased dementia risk. Findings remained robust in sensitivity analyses and after adjustments.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5385-5397
Number of pages13
JournalAlzheimer's and Dementia
Volume20
Issue number8
Early online date1 Jul 2024
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.

Keywords

  • cohort study
  • dementia
  • liver fibrosis
  • risk factors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Health Policy
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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