Hospital Infections in Mid-Life May Increase Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Risk

Patients who receive hospital treatment for infections may be more likely to experience early-onset Alzheimer's disease years later, according to results of a study in Sweden. 

Jiangwei Sun is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, in Sweden. Sun and his colleagues examined the medical data of 1.4 million individuals who were similar in age and sex to the 1.4 million individuals with Alzheimer's disease but had not yet received a diagnosis.

Among individuals that were diagnosed with Alzheimer's before the age of 60, 17.4% had been treated in hospital for an infection at least five years earlier, compared with 9.8% of people matched by age without an Alzheimer's diagnosis.

The strongest associations between bacterial infections and a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease were those in the genitourinary and urinary tracts.

Study Results Still Early. More Research Necessary 

Bacterial infections and those of the urinary and genital organs had the strongest correlation with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. However, a correlation was also seen between viral infections and those of the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems and Alzheimer's in the future.

The study's authors say the results do not formally prove a causal link.

These findings suggest that infectious events may be a trigger or amplifier of a pre-existing disease process, leading to clinical onset of neurodegenerative disease at a relatively early age.

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are leading reasons people require long-term health care. Many people think that the need for long-term health care services is limited to older people; however, the need for care can happen at any age.  

Hospital-treated infections, especially in early- and mid-life, were associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), primarily among AD and PD cases diagnosed before 60 years.

Study Reveals Need for Advance Planning

The study results can have many implications for researchers. However, for those wanting to plan for future declining health and aging, the study underscores the necessity to plan before retirement. 

Long-Term Care Insurance is often used to pay for the quality care services most people desire, including care at home. However, LTC Insurance is medically underwritten, which means you must obtain coverage before having a substantial decline in health or mobility.

Long-Term Care Insurance costs can vary by over 100% between insurance companies. There are several top-rated insurance companies you can compare on LTC NEWS, including resources to find specialists and get quotes.

How Much Does Long-Term Health Care Cost?

Long-term care costs are rising sharply nationwide depending on where you live and the types of care services you require. Generally, nursing home care will cost much more than any other type of long-term health care service. Nursing homes can average well over $100,000 a year, according to the LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator, a leading resource to find care costs nationwide.

Assisted living, adult day care, and in-home care will usually cost less. Keep in mind, however, that these costs do vary dramatically depending on location.

Quality care is a concern most families have when they have a loved one who requires care services. This is especially important when a loved one has Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.