Is long-term opioid use tied to dementia symptoms? Research does not show a clear link where long-term opioid use causes dementia symptoms. Instead, studies focus more on how people with dementia use opioids differently, especially based on gender.[1][2]
Opioids are strong painkillers often prescribed for chronic pain. Doctors worry about long-term use because it can lead to risks like addiction, overdose, or falls and fractures in older adults.[4] But when it comes to dementia, the picture is different. Dementia involves memory loss, confusion, and trouble thinking. A key finding from recent studies is that gender plays a big role in opioid use among older adults with dementia.
For women with dementia, they are less likely to get opioids compared to women without dementia. Men with dementia, on the other hand, have higher odds of using opioids than men without it.[1][2] This suggests doctors might prescribe opioids more carefully for women with dementia, or that men experience more pain that needs strong treatment.
Pain management in dementia is tricky. Older adults with severe dementia can still understand simple pain scales, with about 61% showing they get at least one type in studies of 129 people.[3] This means they can report pain, but long-term opioids are not always the first choice due to side effects.
Other research looks at opioids alongside issues like anger or misuse in chronic pain patients, but not directly at dementia symptoms.[5] No studies in the available data tie long-term opioid use itself to causing or worsening dementia symptoms like memory loss or confusion. The focus stays on safe use in those who already have dementia.
Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12760258/
https://academic.oup.com/innovateage/article/doi/10.1093/geroni/igaf122.071/8409755
https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/altc/articles/managing-chronic-pain-older-adults-long-term-care-perspective
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejp.70195?af=R
https://www.painresearch.or.kr/journal/view.html?pn=current_issue&uid=463
https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/addiction/
https://www.consultant360.com/exclusives/long-term-opioid-use-common-among-teens-mental-health-issues
