Study links frailty and dementia
Early intervention may be key to treating cognitive decline
Frailty increases a person’s likelihood of developing dementia in later life, according to international research by Australian scientists.
The findings of a team from the University of Queensland suggest that early intervention might help prevent cognitive decline.
Dr David Ward from the university’s Centre for Health Services Research tracked the data of nearly 30,000 participants of four studies in the United Kingdom and the United States, enabling researchers to detect changes in people’s health and function 20 years before they were diagnosed with dementia.
“The accumulation of age-related conditions is indicative of increasing frailty, which we found accelerates up to nine years prior to a dementia diagnosis,” Dr Ward said.
“Our findings show, with every four to five additional health problems there is on average a 40% higher risk of developing dementia, while for people who are fitter, the risk is lower.
“This suggests frailty is not merely a consequence of undetected dementia but contributes to its onset.”
Dr Ward said by understanding the connection between frailty and dementia, doctors could “use targeted strategies to reduce the risk of developing the condition and improve general quality of life”.
“This finding supports integrating frailty screening into routine check-ups and could be used to inform health programs which promote lifestyle interventions such as exercise and nutrition.”
World Health Organization statistics suggest there are more than 55 million people with dementia worldwide and 10 million new cases every year.
Professor David Llewellyn from the University of Exeter Medical School in the UK, and a co-author of the study, said it was one of the most comprehensive examinations of the link between frailty and dementia.
“This study is crucial because it identifies frailty as a significant predictor of dementia risk, offering a potential pathway for early intervention to improve health outcomes,” he said.
“The success of this research hinged on international collaboration, allowing us to investigate different populations and enhance the validity of our findings, which are likely to shape future clinical trials and prevention strategies.”
According to the Federal Government’s Health Direct website, about one in 12 Australians aged 65 years and over is living with dementia.
The term describes a group of conditions that cause a gradual loss of brain function.
Dementia can affect your:
Memory
Intellect
Ability to think rationally
Social skills.
Dementia is a progressive condition that can begin with small changes in your thinking and memory.
In middle-stage dementia, the changes to your mood, memory, thinking, and behaviour become stronger, and you will start to need support from other people.
In severe or late-stage dementia, you may be unable to remember people, communicate, walk, or look after your own hygiene and will require constant care.
While dementia is more common in older people, it is not a normal part of ageing.
Fear not. Taking action to build strength and health in middle to later life is an important pathway to reducing the risk of developing dementia.
Related reading: UQ, ABC, Health Direct, Dementia Australia
