
. Severe infections may increase the risk of dementia, even independently of other health conditions, according to a new study from the University of Helsinki in Finland. The research, published in the journal PLOS Medicine and highlighted by Medical Xpress, found a significant link between serious infections and the development of dementia. However, researchers note it remains unclear whether this connection is due to other underlying health issues that predispose individuals to both infection and dementia.
Study Details
The study analyzed health data from across Finland, encompassing over 62,000 individuals aged 65 and older who received a late-onset dementia diagnosis between 2017 and 2020. Researchers examined all hospital-treated illnesses over the preceding 20 years, identifying 29 conditions strongly associated with an increased dementia risk.
Study Findings
Nearly half of all dementia cases (47%) involved at least one of the 29 identified conditions prior to diagnosis. Among these, two were infectious diseases: urinary tract infection (specifically, cystitis) and an unspecified bacterial infection. The strongest associations among non-infectious conditions were observed in mental disorders resulting from brain damage or physical illness, Parkinson’s disease, and mental and behavioral disorders related to alcohol apply.
Even after accounting for the 27 non-infectious conditions linked to dementia, the association between infection and dementia largely remained. Less than one-seventh of the increased dementia risk in individuals hospitalized for cystitis or bacterial infection could be attributed to pre-existing conditions.
The link between infection and dementia was particularly strong for early-onset dementia, diagnosed before age 65. Five types of infections – including pneumonia and dental decay – were associated with increased risk in this age group.
“our findings support the possibility that severe infections increase the risk of dementia,” the researchers stated. “However, interventional studies are needed to determine whether preventing or effectively treating infections yields benefits for dementia prevention.” They also noted that infections associated with dementia occurred, on average, five to six years before diagnosis, suggesting that severe infections may accelerate underlying cognitive decline, as the development of dementia often takes years or even decades.
