This warning sign can announce Alzheimer’s disease 9 years before, according to a study carried out on 30,000 people

A new study has linked increased frailty (defined as “the accumulation of multiple age-related health deficits and reduced physiological reserve”) and dementia, nine years before the official diagnosis.

We recall that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative pathology which mainly affects memory, but also other cognitive functions, linked for example to language, reasoning, learning, etc. This disease generally progresses towards a loss of autonomy. It is one of the leading causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide. Currently, there is no treatment to cure it.

“With four to five additional health problems, the risk of developing dementia is on average 40%”

Researchers from the University of Queensland looked at international data from more than 30,000 people from the US and UK over a 20-year period. Published in the journal Jama Neurologythe study reveals that physical frailty appears and accelerates during the nine years preceding the diagnosis of people with dementia. We speak of fragility when faced with a patient who becomes vulnerable, after involuntary weight loss, a drop in muscular strength, fatigue, slow walking or even a very sedentary lifestyle.

“Our results show that with four to five additional health problems, the risk of developing dementia is on average 40% higher, while for fitter people the risk is lower”said Dr David Ward, one of the study’s authors, at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

It could be possible to spot dementia well before diagnosis

These data are encouraging and suggest that health professionals may be able to identify profiles more likely to develop dementia well before the official diagnosis is established, thus allowing patients to get a head start on the degeneration of dementia. brain functions. According to the National Health Serviceearly diagnosis can be helpful in cases of dementia.

“By understanding the link between aging, frailty and dementia, we can use targeted intervention strategies to reduce risk and improve quality of life”shared Dr. Ward.

Source : Frailty Trajectories Preceding Dementia in the US and UK, David D. Ward, Jama Neurology