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Diagnosis of Anosmia in Middle Age, But Not in Older Adulthood, Increases Alzheimer Dementia Risk
Jin Kook Kim, Jae Hoon Cho. Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, 2025-03-17
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
After adjusting for various factors, the incidence of Alzheimer dementia was significantly higher in the anosmia group compared to the control group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04-1.28). Stratification by age revealed that the risk of developing dementia was significantly elevated in anosmia patients under 65 years (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.07-1.54), whereas no significant increase was observed in those over 65 years (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.97-1.24). Vascular dementia was not statistically associated with anosmia. A diagnosis of anosmia in middle age increases the risk of developing Alzheimer dementia, while no such increase is observed in older individuals.
Key findings
- After adjusting for various factors, the incidence of Alzheimer dementia was significantly higher in the anosmia group compared to the control group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04-1.28).
- Stratification by age revealed that the risk of developing dementia was significantly elevated in anosmia patients under 65 years (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.07-1.54), whereas no significant increase was observed in those over 65 years (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.97-1.24).
- Vascular dementia was not statistically associated with anosmia.
- A diagnosis of anosmia in middle age increases the risk of developing Alzheimer dementia, while no such increase is observed in older individuals.
Why it matters
This cohort study found that a diagnosis of anosmia in middle age was associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer dementia, while no significant increase was observed in those over 65. Vascular dementia was not statistically associated with anosmia.
Study details
- Study designcohort study
- Participants8,023
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 47/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a cohort study following people over time. Scored zero for effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology: journal h-index 54 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 7 / 12 | A cohort study following people over time |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 3 / 4 | 8,023 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 2 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 2 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Jae Hoon Cho: h-index 33 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Konkuk University: institution h-index 383 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40091590) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 47 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.21053/ceo.2024.00345
- PubMed: 40091590
- Original source →
- Free full text: Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Kim, J. K., & Cho, J. H. (2025). Diagnosis of Anosmia in Middle Age, But Not in Older Adulthood, Increases Alzheimer Dementia Risk. Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology. https://doi.org/10.21053/ceo.2024.00345
Vancouver
Kim JK, Cho JH. Diagnosis of Anosmia in Middle Age, But Not in Older Adulthood, Increases Alzheimer Dementia Risk. Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology. 2025. doi:10.21053/ceo.2024.00345. PMID: 40091590.
BibTeX
@article{kim2025-40091590,
author = {Kim, Jin Kook and Cho, Jae Hoon},
title = {{Diagnosis of Anosmia in Middle Age, But Not in Older Adulthood, Increases Alzheimer Dementia Risk}},
journal = {Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.21053/ceo.2024.00345},
pmid = {40091590},
url = {https://doi.org/10.21053/ceo.2024.00345}
}
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