Are US veterans at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias?
The United States is in the midst of a dramatic increase in the number of veterans with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and many of these new cases are directly attributable to military service.
According to the 2017 Veterans’ Alzheimer’s Brief, veterans’ Alzheimer’s disease increased 166% from 2004 to 2014. The US Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that more than 750,000 older veterans have Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
For example, traumatic brain injury increases the threat of Alzheimer’s disease among veterans. A study of more than 180,000 older veterans published in the journal Neurology found that older veterans with a traumatic brain injury were 60% more likely to develop dementia than those without. High, the onset of dementia was found to occur, on average, two years earlier. People without traumatic brain injury.
Veterans face inherent risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease as a result of their work, including traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress, blast neurotrauma, serial concussion syndrome, and depression.
Although largely invisible, Alzheimer’s disease is a pressing long-term challenge in the veterans community, especially among current elderly veterans from the Vietnam era and young veterans from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will make an impact in the decades to come.
Additionally, 22% of all combat injuries in Afghanistan and Iraq were brain injuries, nearly double the rate seen in Vietnam, increasing the lifetime risk of Alzheimer’s disease in these young veterans.
Additionally, post-traumatic stress and depression may double the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in veterans. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that among veterans with post-traumatic stress, he was twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia.
The VA estimates that 30% of Vietnam veterans will suffer from post-traumatic stress in their lifetime, so this risk factor is of particular concern to those who served in Vietnam. That’s four times her percentage of the general US population.
Moreover, from 2010 to 2020, new cases of depression-related Alzheimer’s disease in veterans were predicted to double the number in the general population. Post-traumatic stress and depression are also associated with increased suicidal ideation and suicide rates among veterans, which increased by nearly 50% between 2003 and 2008.
The brief also reviewed the Alzheimer’s disease crisis in the veterans community, described Alzheimer’s disease risks unique to veterans, and examined barriers to effective diagnosis, treatment, and care for veterans.
For example, veterans may face obstacles to effective Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis and treatment. These include the often complex veterans care system, lack of understanding of available benefits, and stigma related to brain and mental health.
Veterans Combatting Alzheimer’s Disease believes that the state has an urgent responsibility to meet the needs of Alzheimer’s veterans, their caregivers, and families. In summary, Brief called for joint initiatives, and greater research and investment, to tackle the growing dementia crisis in the veterans community.
Questions about Alzheimer’s or related disorders can be sent to Dana Territo, author of What My Grandson Taught Me About Alzheimer’s, at thememorywhisperer@gmail.com.
Comments
Post a Comment