Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients have a higher risk of developing dementia than those without diabetes. A recent study from South Korea unveiled an opportunity in the form of pioglitazone to prevent dementia in such patients, even before it progresses. Researchers studied 91,281 newly diagnosed T2DM patients who did not have dementia. About 8% of patients taking pioglitazone developed dementia upon ten years of follow-up, compared to 10% of those who were not on pioglitazone.
After controlling factors, including high blood pressure, smoking, and physical activity, pioglitazone reduced dementia risk by 16%. Among those with a history of ischemic heart disease or stroke, the risk was reduced further by 54% and 43%, respectively. Pioglitazone lowered the dementia risk in T2DM patients, particularly in those with a history of stroke or ischemic heart disease. This finding recommends a…
