WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • A Finnish study linked 10 medical conditions with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease during the years preceding diagnosis.
  • Researchers compared records from 407 diagnosed patients with 4,035 people of similar age and sex without the diagnosis.
  • Vertigo affected 5.9% of diagnosed patients versus 2.1% of others, while ear, nose, and throat disorders affected 5.2% versus 2.9%.
  • The observational findings show associations only and cannot establish that the conditions cause or reliably predict Alzheimer’s disease.

A Finnish study suggests that 10 medical conditions may be associated with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease years before a diagnosis. Depression, vertigo, headaches, and ear, nose, and throat disorders were among the conditions highlighted by researchers.

The differences were most pronounced during the five years preceding an early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The findings could offer clues for earlier detection, although the observational study cannot show that these conditions reliably predict the disease.

Researchers examined medical records from 407 people with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and 4,035 people without the diagnosis. Those in the comparison group were of similar age and sex.

The analysis focused on the 15 years before diagnosis. The average age at diagnosis was 60, while early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed in people younger than 65.

MORE NEWS: Therapy Under Fire as Adult Children Cut Off Parents Amid Estrangement Surge

The findings were published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Researchers found several medical conditions were significantly more prevalent among people who were eventually diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Vertigo appeared in 5.9% of people who received the diagnosis, compared with 2.1% of those who did not. Ear, nose, and throat disorders affected 5.2% of those diagnosed, compared with 2.9% of those without the diagnosis.

Depression and headaches were also more common during the five years before diagnosis. The study’s patterns were strongest within that five year period rather than across the entire 15 years examined.

Healthcare visits also increased substantially among patients immediately before and during the time of diagnosis. Researchers said that increase may indicate the emergence of symptoms connected to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

With ongoing concerns about highly processed foods and long term health risks, have you reduced your consumption of ultra processed foods this year?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from Being Healthy News, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

"It is well-known that the neuropathological changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease begin at least 15 to 20 years before clinical cognitive symptoms appear," Suvi-Johanna Krüger, M.D., Ph.D., one of the study’s authors and a clinical lecturer at University of Oulu, said in a press release.

"Most previous studies have focused on late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and considerably less is known about early-onset Alzheimer’s disease."

Despite the patterns identified in the records, the observational design limits what researchers can conclude. The study establishes associations but does not demonstrate that any of the conditions can consistently predict Alzheimer’s disease.

"Our study cannot determine whether these conditions cause early-onset Alzheimer’s disease or whether they are consequences of the underlying disease process," Krüger noted.

Close

MORE NEWS: AI Looms Among 17 Catastrophic Threats That Could Devastate Global Health

"Some conditions may represent risk factors, while others may reflect early symptoms or changes occurring during the prodromal phase of the disease."

Genetics, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors also may have played a role in patient outcomes. The researchers could not independently verify every medical diagnosis or assess the severity of disease among the people whose records were examined.

The findings may not apply to populations outside Finland. That limitation means the medical patterns identified in the Finnish records cannot automatically be extended to patients in other places.

Larger studies involving disease biomarkers, genetics, and clinical assessments could help researchers investigate whether a causal relationship exists. Such research could also explore whether these medical patterns could improve early detection.

Experts advise people with persistent medical symptoms, including problems involving memory or cognition, to consult a healthcare provider. The study does not establish that depression, vertigo, headaches, or related conditions mean a person will develop Alzheimer’s disease.

"Early diagnosis is important because more treatment and support options are available in the early stages of the disease," Krüger advised.

"Early diagnosis also gives individuals and their families more time to plan for the future and access appropriate support services."

Are you feeling overwhelmed or hopeless right now? Have you been withdrawing from people or activities you usually enjoy? Are you having thoughts about hurting yourself, or feeling like things will never improve?

You do not have to handle those feelings alone. Support is available, and talking to someone can make a difference. You can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or by chatting online at 988lifeline.org. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to listen and help.

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services right away. Even a small step, like reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional, can help create a path forward.