Struggling with work productivity may serve as an early warning sign for early-onset dementia, potentially appearing as much as 15 years before a formal diagnosis, according to research from Finland. Early-onset dementia affects individuals before the age of 65, leading to premature deterioration in cognitive and professional capabilities.
Researchers tracked nearly 800 patients diagnosed with early-onset dementia and approximately 7,000 healthy individuals for a decade and a half prior to diagnosis. The study found that individuals who later received an early-onset dementia diagnosis earned, on average, $13,800 less annually compared to their healthy peers in the years leading up to their diagnosis. This wage reduction was attributed to decreased productivity.
Over the course of the 12-year study period preceding diagnosis, researchers estimated that patients lost around $86,000 in wages due to the condition. Dr. Eino Solje, a neurologist who led the research, noted that early-onset dementia impacts individuals during their most productive years, often correlating with a reduced ability to work, higher unemployment rates, and earlier departure from jobs than planned. These changes can significantly affect household income and contribute to broader economic consequences.
The study, published in the journal Neurology, highlighted an association between diminished work productivity and early-onset dementia up to 15 years before diagnosis. This extended period of unrecognized symptoms can exacerbate the long-term socioeconomic impact of the disease.
Common symptoms that may emerge at work include difficulties remembering appointments, challenges recalling how to perform long-established tasks, and struggles with concentration or following conversations. In later stages, patients may experience severe mood swings, confusion about time and place, and increased suspicion of loved ones.
There is currently no cure for dementia, although some medications can help slow its progression. Estimates suggest that around 200,000 Americans are affected by early-onset dementia, a number that is reportedly increasing. Health insurance data from 2013 to 2017 indicated a 200 percent rise in claims for the condition.
Within the study cohort, 421 patients were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, 179 with frontotemporal dementia, and nearly 200 with other forms, including vascular dementia. When broken down by dementia type, those with early-onset Alzheimer's showed lower earnings approximately six years before diagnosis, while individuals with frontotemporal dementia experienced reduced earnings starting about 11 years before diagnosis.
The study suggests that lower wages compared to peers could be a potential warning sign, though it does not conclusively prove dementia. Other factors may also contribute to such financial changes.
The causes of early-onset dementia are not fully understood, but genetics play a role, with about one in 10 individuals possessing genes that increase their risk. A family history of the disease also elevates risk. Other potential contributing factors include traumatic brain injuries from strokes or heavy alcohol consumption.
Diagnosis is typically made by physicians who assess patients for characteristic warning signs. Some individuals with early-onset dementia may continue working for years after diagnosis, while others may stop. The average life expectancy after diagnosis for those with early-onset dementia is about nine years.