Reduced Labor Participation as an Early Sign of Dementia Decades Before Onset

A recent study conducted in Finland has uncovered that decreased participation in the labor market for reasons unrelated to retirement could serve as an early warning signal for developing dementia, potentially up to ten years before clinical symptoms become apparent. The research analyzed extensive nationwide registry data involving over 2,200 patients from the DEGE-RWD project, in collaboration with the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Oulu. Participants diagnosed with various forms of dementia—such as Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia, or vascular dementia—showed significant drops in employment levels long before their diagnosis, indicating that social and occupational markers may reflect underlying neurodegenerative processes.

The study found that individuals with vascular dementia and mixed Alzheimer’s-vascular dementia had lower educational attainment compared to controls, suggesting education may influence resilience to certain dementia types that onset later in life. Conversely, early-onset Alzheimer's patients, particularly women, were more likely to live alone at the time of diagnosis. Marital status did not differ significantly among those with frontotemporal dementia and healthy controls.

These findings emphasize the importance of considering social behaviors and employment patterns as potential early indicators of dementia. Associate Professor Eino Solje highlighted that early brain changes related to dementia may lead to observable shifts in social engagement and employment well before cognitive decline is detectable. The research underscores the value of such social markers in improving early diagnosis and intervention strategies, facilitating timely management of the disease.

The study’s strength lies in the use of robust, real-world data from expert-diagnosed patients, increasing confidence in the findings. Published in lzheimers & Dementia,
this research contributes to a broader understanding of how sociodemographic factors can serve as early clues in dementia progression, opening avenues for earlier screening and preventive measures.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-labor-early-dementia-years-diagnosis.html