Increased risk of dementia in Type 1 diabetes: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence on the association between Type 1 diabetes mellitus (Type 1 diabetes) and dementia risk. A systematic search of CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PSYCINFO, and Web of Science databases identified 19 relevant studies for inclusion. Studies, published in English, were assessed for quality using the QUADAS-2 tool, and data were extracted for synthesis. A meta-analysis of six studies reporting hazard ratios (HR) for dementia risk in individuals with Type 1 diabetes versus controls was conducted. The pooled HR for all-cause dementia was 1.50 (95 % CI: 1.25-1.80, p < 0.001), indicating a 50 % increased risk of dementia in people with Type 1 diabetes compared to controls. This review provides robust evidence linking Type 1 diabetes to increased dementia risk and highlights the need for targeted screening and preventive strategies for this population. Further research is necessary to explore the mechanisms underlying the association between Type 1 diabetes and dementia.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Dementia; Risk factors; Type 1 diabetes mellitus; Vascular dementia.