Adverse reproductive outcomes and future risk of incident dementia: The modifying effect of genetic susceptibility.

BACKGROUND

Adverse reproductive outcomes (AROs) in women can lead to the occurrence of a variety of diseases later in life. However, research on AROs and dementia risk in women has not been reported.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the effects of miscarriage and stillbirth on future dementia risk in women.

METHODS

The Cox proportional hazards model was used to clarify the association between miscarriage, stillbirth, and dementia risk. In this cohort, only women with a history of miscarriage and stillbirth were selected. A genetic risk score for dementia was constructed, and the combined effect of miscarriage, stillbirth, and the genetic risk score for dementia on the future risk of incident dementia was determined.

RESULTS

For each increase in the number of miscarriages and stillbirths, the risk of dementia increased by 5% and 22%, respectively. Compared to women who had a low genetic risk score, no miscarriages and at least one live-born infant, women with more than 3 miscarriages and a high genetic risk score had a significantly increased risk of dementia.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that miscarriage and stillbirth are associated with an increased risk of dementia, especially in women with a high genetic risk score.