Association Between Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Dementia: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Prior meta-analyses report a 2- to 4-fold increased risk of later cardiovascular disease among women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Given HDP's vascular underpinnings, it is hypothesized to also be a risk factor for later dementia. We aim to summarize the evidence for the impact of HDP on dementia and consider unique associations between HDP and dementia subtypes.

METHODS

Observational studies on the relationship between HDP and dementia were identified from online electronic databases to July 1, 2021 (PROSPERO identifier: CRD42020185630). We included observational studies published in English. Exposure among women was any HDP and HDP subtypes: gestational hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, or other/unspecified HDP. Outcome was any dementia and dementia subtypes: Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, or other/unspecified dementias.

RESULTS

For our primary analyses, we included 5 cohort studies with a total of 183 874 women with and 2 309 705 women without HDP. Pooled analysis found a 38% higher risk of all-cause dementia among women with, versus without, any type of HDP (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.18-1.61]; P<0.01). When examining association by HDP and dementia subtypes, we found that women with, versus without, any type of HDP had over a 3-fold higher risk of vascular dementia (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.14 [95% CI, 2.32-4.24]; P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that maternal history of HDP is an important risk factor for later development of vascular and all-cause dementia. Further research among more racially/ethnically diverse populations quantifying HDP's effect on all-cause dementia, and specifically vascular dementia, is warranted.