10 Medical Conditions Show Link to Alzheimer’s Years Before Diagnosis

Certain medical conditions may signal early onset Alzheimer’s disease several years before diagnosis, a new Finnish study suggests.

Researchers found that depression, dizziness, headaches and other conditions were more common in the five years before diagnosis, potentially offering clues for earlier detection.

Researchers analyzed the medical records of 407 people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and 4,035 people of the same age and gender without a diagnosis, focusing on the 15 years before diagnosis.

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The average age at diagnosis was 60 years. Early-onset disease is diagnosed in people younger than 65 years old.

The results were published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

Certain medical conditions may signal early onset Alzheimer’s disease several years before diagnosis, a new Finnish study suggests. (iStock)

The following conditions were found to be significantly more prevalent among people ultimately diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

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1. Dizziness (5.9% of those diagnosed versus 2.1% of those undiagnosed)
2. Depression (5.7% versus 2.3%)
3. Headaches (4.9% versus 1.6%)
4. Stroke (4.4% versus 2.0%)
5. Alcohol-related disorders (3.4% versus 1.4%)
6. Brain disorders (2.9% versus 0.9%)
7. Thyroid disorders (2.5% versus 0.8%)
8. Epilepsy (2.2% versus 0.7%)
9. Delirium (1.5% versus 0.1%)
10. Ear, nose and throat disorders (5.2% vs. 2.9%)

Researchers found that depression, dizziness, headaches and other conditions were more common in the five years before diagnosis. (iStock)

Differences in medical conditions were most pronounced in the five years before an early onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the study found.

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The researchers also found that doctor visits increased significantly among early-stage Alzheimer’s patients, immediately before and during diagnosis, which may indicate the emergence of symptoms.

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

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

Researchers analyzed the medical records of 407 people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and 4,035 people of the same age and gender without a diagnosis, focusing on the 15 years before diagnosis. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, file)

Limitations of the study

Because the study was observational, it only establishes associations and cannot demonstrate that these conditions can reliably predict Alzheimer’s disease.

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

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

It is also possible that genetics, lifestyle and socio-economic factors played a role in the patients’ outcome.

“Early diagnosis is important because more treatment options and support are available in the early stages of the disease.”

Additionally, researchers could not independently verify all medical diagnoses or assess the severity of patients’ illness. Additionally, the results may not apply to populations outside of Finland.

Larger studies examining disease biomarkers, genetics, and clinical assessments could help determine whether there is a coincidental relationship between medical conditions and the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and whether these medical models could be used to improve early detection.

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For people with persistent medical symptoms, including problems with memory or cognition, experts say it is important to see a healthcare professional.

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

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