Early-Onset Alzheimer's Linked to Diverse Health Issues Before Diagnosis

A new study conducted by the Universities of Oulu and Eastern Finland reveals that individuals who developed early-onset Alzheimer's disease before the age of 65 accumulated a wide range of health problems, particularly during the five years leading up to their diagnosis. Published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, the findings indicate that early-onset Alzheimer's is not merely an early version of the disease known in older adults.

Health Complications Before Diagnosis

Compared to the control group, young patients were more prone to depression, dizziness, headaches, traumatic brain injuries, and epilepsy. Additionally, they suffered more from cerebrovascular disorders, thyroid diseases, and issues related to excessive alcohol consumption. The researchers noted that problems such as tinnitus and hearing loss were already more common six to ten years prior to the official diagnosis.

One of the most prominent findings concerned cardiovascular risk factors, which are considered major and well-known risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer's. Contrary to the known trend, high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia were not more prevalent among individuals with early-onset Alzheimer's compared to control subjects.

Surge in Medical Consultations

The study examined diseases and health conditions that appeared during the 15 years preceding diagnosis, finding no significant differences in morbidity between the groups in the 11 to 15-year window before diagnosis. However, researchers observed that healthcare utilization increased significantly during the five years leading up to the diagnosis, with the steepest rise in medical visits occurring during the final year.

"Instead of known risk factors, an increase in other health problems was observed as the diagnosis approached," explained Professor Johanna Kröger, the lead researcher from the University of Oulu.

According to Laura Lähteenmäki, the first author of the study, patients may accumulate a variety of seemingly unrelated symptoms in the years prior to diagnosis, and recognizing this general pattern may help raise suspicion of the disease at an earlier stage.

The findings are based on patient data from memory clinics at the university hospitals of Oulu and Kuopio, combined with national health registry data. The comprehensive study included 407 people diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's, comparing their medical records to those of more than 4,000 control subjects matched by age and sex.