Cumulative Dose Effects of H1 Antihistamine Use on the Risk of Dementia in Patients With Allergic Rhinitis

Background: H1 antihistamines (AHs), categorized as first-generation antihistamines (FGAs) or second-generation antihistamines (SGAs), possess anticholinergic properties linked to heightened dementia risk.

Objectives: To explore dementia risk in patients with allergic rhinitis using AHs.

Methods: Taiwanese patients with new-onset allergic rhinitis (2011-2017) constituted the study population (677,971 with FGAs or SGAs, 36,081 without AHs). AH use was measured in cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD). Patients were grouped by cDDD (nonuser, <60 cDDD, 60-120 cDDD, and >120 cDDD). A Cox proportional hazard model assessed the AH-dementia association. Sensitivity analysis explored AH effects on dementia risk across subgroups and associations between specific AHs and dementia types.

Results: FGAs in patients with allergic rhinitis were associated with elevated dementia risk. At less than 60 cDDD, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) was 1.13 (95% CI, 1.09-1.17); at 60 to 120 cDDD, aHR was 1.29 (95% CI, 1.21-1.38); and at more than 120 cDDD, aHR was 1.51 (95% CI, 1.42-1.62). SGAs also raised dementia risk. At less than 60 cDDD, aHR was 1.11 (95% CI, 1.05-1.17); at 60 to 120 cDDD, aHR was 1.19 (95% CI, 1.12-1.26); and at more than 120 cDDD, aHR was 1.26 (95% CI, 1.19-1.33).

Conclusions: Patients with allergic rhinitis on FGAs or SGAs face an escalating dementia risk with increasing cumulative dosage. Moreover, FGAs exhibit a higher dementia risk compared with SGAs. Nevertheless, extensive clinical trials are imperative for confirming the association between FGA use, SGA use, and dementia risk.