Stroke and dementia risk: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is an established risk factor for all-cause dementia, though meta-analyses are needed to quantify this risk. METHODS: We searched Medline, PsycINFO, and Embase for studies assessing prevalent or incident stroke versus a no-stroke comparison group and the risk of all-cause dementia. Random effects meta-analysis was used to pool adjusted estimates across studies, and meta-regression was used to investigate potential effect modifiers. RESULTS: = 88%). Study characteristics did not modify these associations, with the exception of sex which explained 50.2% of between-study heterogeneity for prevalent stroke. DISCUSSION: Stroke is a strong, independent, and potentially modifiable risk factor for all-cause dementia.