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Aspirin for vascular dementia.
P S Williams1, A Spector, M Orrell
1Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Camden & Islington CHS NHS Trust, 186a Park Road, Crouch End, London, UK, N8 8JJ. plastix@cableinet.co.uk
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|May 5, 2000
Summary
Aspirin is widely prescribed for vascular dementia, but evidence for its effectiveness is limited. More research is needed to determine if aspirin benefits cognition or improves prognosis in vascular dementia patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Vascular dementia patients are frequently prescribed aspirin.
- Uncertainty exists regarding aspirin's benefits, effects on cognition, and prognosis in vascular dementia.
- The risk of hemorrhage versus potential benefits requires evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of aspirin in patients diagnosed with vascular dementia.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Inclusion criteria involved RCTs assessing aspirin for vascular dementia.
- Data extraction focused on cognitive, behavioral, mortality, morbidity, and institutionalization outcomes.
Main Results:
- One RCT involving 70 patients met the inclusion criteria.
- The study primarily assessed cognitive outcomes.
- Results indicated a trend favoring aspirin treatment for cognitive outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Limited evidence supports aspirin's effectiveness for vascular dementia.
- Further research is necessary to evaluate aspirin's impact on cognition, behavior, and quality of life.
- Current evidence is insufficient to address other clinical questions regarding aspirin use in vascular dementia.