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Claim: A user on X (formerly Twitter) shared a claim suggesting that PCOS and Alzheimer’s disease have a direct link to Type 2 diabetes.
Verdict: The post is misleading. While there may be rare medical connections between the conditions, PCOS, Alzheimer’s, and Type 2 diabetes are distinct disorders, each with its own set of symptoms.
Full Text
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterised by irregular periods, elevated male hormones (androgens), and sometimes multiple ovarian cysts. Common symptoms include irregular or absent menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth, acne, thinning hair, weight gain, and fertility issues due to disrupted ovulation.
Women with PCOS may also face increased risks of cardiovascular disease, endometrial cancer, and psychological challenges like depression and anxiety. While there is no cure, PCOS can be managed through lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and exercise, as well as medications to regulate hormones or improve insulin sensitivity. Fertility treatments may assist women with PCOS who are trying to get pregnant.
In contrast, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that leads to the degeneration of brain cells, resulting in memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioural changes. It is the most common cause of dementia, typically affecting older adults.
Early symptoms include difficulty remembering recent events, confusion, and problem-solving challenges, which worsen over time and impair daily functioning. Although the exact cause is unknown, Alzheimer’s is associated with abnormal protein deposits in the brain, such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which disrupt communication between brain cells. Risk factors include ageing, genetics, and lifestyle factors like poor cardiovascular health.
Related to these health conditions, a user on X (@Oloye) shared a post on October 1, 2024, at about 1:58 a.m., stating:
“Apparently, PCOS is a spur of Type 2 diabetes. And so is Alzheimer’s. All these new names for existing conditions are to make people focus on the treatment of symptoms instead of root causes.”
The claim attracted significant engagement, garnering 1.1 million views, 1,600 likes, 1,200 shares, 633 bookmarks, and 131 comments.
Upon reviewing the comments, DUBAWA noted responses from users like @Zanna_Daniel, who remarked,
“This is a very serious and inaccurate simplification. Yes, some medical conditions predispose a person to other conditions, but they are not necessarily the cause of that condition. PCOS is not specifically caused by T2DM; rather, it predisposes one to it.”
Another user, @MistaCee, also disagreed, stating, “Stop tweeting things you are not an authority on.”
User @Titilayomi added, “PCOS is a multifactorial disorder. It doesn’t have an exact root cause and differs from person to person. Also, it can’t be cured; it can only be managed.”
The majority of comments on the post opposed the claim, each providing reasons for their disagreement. Considering this feedback and the ambiguity of the original claim, DUBAWA decided to investigate further.
Verification
DUBAWA found research by Shawna Seed on PCOS and diabetes, which reveals that although the exact cause of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) remains unclear, women with PCOS are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Factors such as genetics, insulin resistance, and obesity contribute to this risk. Studies show that around 50% of women with PCOS might develop type 2 diabetes by the age of 40.
Another study by the U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests that the precise link between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes remains a topic of debate. However, poorly controlled blood sugar levels may elevate the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. The connection is so strong that some researchers have referred to Alzheimer’s as the “diabetes of the brain” or “type 3 diabetes” (T3D), although this term is not officially recognised in the medical community.
Importantly, none of the research establishes a direct connection between PCOS or Alzheimer’s disease and the onset of diabetes.
Experts opinion
To investigate further, DUBAWA contacted Abdullahi Haruna, a gynaecologist, to discuss Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in relation to the claim.
“Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Type 2 diabetes share a common link through insulin resistance, but one does not directly cause the other. PCOS is a hormonal disorder that often results in insulin resistance, meaning the body doesn’t use insulin effectively, which can lead to higher insulin levels in the bloodstream,” he explained.
Dr Haruna noted that over time, some women with PCOS may face an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, particularly if they have additional risk factors such as obesity or a family history of diabetes.
“While PCOS raises the likelihood of diabetes, it is not accurate to say that PCOS directly causes or spurs diabetes. Both conditions are influenced by a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and metabolic factors. Managing insulin resistance through diet, exercise, and, if needed, medications can help reduce the risk of diabetes in women with the condition,” he added.
Sarah Moses, a 45-year-old woman with PCOS, shared her personal experience regarding the claim.
“I was diagnosed with this condition in 2011 when I went to the hospital to find out why I was unable to get pregnant. It impacted on me both medically, physically, and emotionally,” she narrated.
Moses told DUBAWA that she had been informed that older individuals like herself with PCOS were at risk of developing diabetes; however, she has not shown any signs of it to date. She also mentioned that she used to be part of a community of women with PCOS who shared their experiences, and the majority of them were not diagnosed with diabetes.
Abraham Timothy, a Neurologist, explained to DUBAWA that it is not accurate to say that Alzheimer’s disease directly causes diabetes.
He said that research has suggested that insulin resistance, a common feature of Type 2 diabetes, may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s, leading some experts to refer to Alzheimer’s as Type 3 diabetes.
“This connection arises because insulin is important for brain function, and when insulin function is impaired, it can contribute to neurodegeneration. However, Alzheimer’s is a complex disorder influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, age, and lifestyle,” he described.
Dr Timothy said that while some patients with traits of diabetics have sometimes fallen prey due to other conditions, it is wrong to generalise that both PCOS and Alzheimer’s spur diabetes.
He also assured that more research is being done to ensure each condition gets the best attention and treatment it needs to improve patients’ health.
Conclusion
DUBAWA’s investigation shows that the user exaggerated their claims without proof. Both PCOS and Alzheimer’s disease are multifactorial conditions. While there may be rare instances where these conditions contribute to an increased risk of developing diabetes, they are not the sole causes of diabetes nor alternative names for one another, as the claimant suggested.
