Target Trial Emulation Using Cohort Studies: Estimating the Effect of Antihypertensive Medication Initiation on Incident Dementia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Observational studies link high midlife systolic blood pressure to increased dementia risk. However, the synthesis of evidence from randomized controlled trials has not definitively demonstrated that antihypertensive medication use reduces dementia risk. Here, we emulate target trials of antihypertensive medication initiation on incident dementia using three cohort studies, with attention to potential violations of necessary assumptions.

Methods

We emulated trials of antihypertensive medication initiation on incident dementia using data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, Cardiovascular Health Study, and Health and Retirement Study. We used data-driven methods to restrict participants to initiators and noninitiators with overlap in propensity score

SUBMITTER: Bennett EE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11598662 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature