Calcium channel blockers, survival and ischaemic stroke in patients with dementia: a Swedish registry study

Background The effect of calcium channel blockers (CCB) on mortality and ischaemic stroke risk in dementia patients is understudied. Objectives To calculate the risk of death and ischaemic stroke in dementia patients treated with CCBs, considering individual agents and dose response. Methods Longitudinal cohort study with 18 906 hypertensive dementia patients from the Swedish Dementia Registry (SveDem), 2008–2014. Other Swedish national registries contributed information on comorbidities, dispensed medication and outcomes. Individual CCB agents and cumulative defined daily doses (cDDD) were considered. Results In patients with hypertension and dementia, nifedipine was associated with increased mortality risk (aHR 1.32; CI 1.01–1.73; P