A recent investigation has revealed that frailty heightens the likelihood of developing dementia, with timely interventions possibly serving as a crucial factor in prevention.
An international study spearheaded by a researcher from the University of Queensland has discovered that frailty raises an individual’s risk of dementia, while early intervention may hold the key to prevention.
Dr. David Ward, from the Centre for Health Services Research, observed data from nearly 30,000 participants across four longitudinal studies conducted in the United Kingdom and the United States. This research allowed the team to identify shifts in people’s health and functionality up to 20 years prior to a dementia diagnosis.
“The buildup of age-related health issues indicates a rise in frailty, which we observed accelerates up to 9 years before a dementia diagnosis,” explained Dr. Ward.
“Our results reveal that for every additional 4-5 health issues, the average risk of developing dementia increases by 40%. In contrast, individuals who maintain better fitness have a lower risk.
“This implies that frailty is not simply a result of unnoticed dementia, but it plays a role in initiating its onset.”
Frailty refers to a health condition associated with aging, where various organ systems lose their ability to recover, making people more susceptible to negative health results such as falls, disabilities, and hospitalization.
“People age at varying speeds, and the illnesses they accumulate reflect their level of frailty,” Dr. Ward noted.
“By recognizing the relationship between aging, frailty, and dementia, we can implement focused initiatives to lower risk and enhance quality of life.”
“These findings advocate for the integration of frailty assessments into regular health check-ups and could guide health programs that encourage lifestyle changes such as physical activity and better nutrition.”
The World Health Organization reports that more than 55 million individuals worldwide are living with dementia, with around 10 million new cases emerging each year.
Professor David Llewellyn from the University of Exeter Medical School, a co-author of the study, remarked that this research is one of the most thorough investigations examining the connection between frailty and dementia.
“This study is vital as it pinpoints frailty as a notable risk factor for dementia, providing a potential route for early intervention and improved health outcomes,” Professor Llewellyn stated.
“The effectiveness of this research was reliant on international collaboration, enabling us to study diverse populations and strengthen the reliability of our findings, which are likely to influence future clinical trials and preventative measures.”
The research was a collaborative project involving researchers from the University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Exeter, Alan Turing Institute, Nova Scotia Health, University of Colorado Boulder, Sapienza University of Rome, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University, Italian National Institute of Health, Dalhousie University, and the Medical University of Graz.
This research was supported by the Deep Dementia Phenotyping (DEMON) Network and the Australian Frailty Network (AFN).
The findings have been published in JAMA Neurology.
