Olfactory dysfunction predicts the development of dementia in older patients with type 2 diabetes

This exploratory study was performed to determine if olfactory dysfunction could represent an early marker of future dementia in older patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. Researchers analyzed 151 older Japanese outpatients having type 2 diabetes without a diagnosis of probable dementia at baseline. Development of probable dementia was reported in nearly 9% of the participants over 3 years. On multivariate logistic regression, a significant link with development of probable dementia was shown by factors such as lower Open Essence test score, higher age, lower Mini-Mental State Examination score, higher total protein concentration, and more frequent use of a sulfonylurea. Findings revealed the occurrence of olfactory dysfunction, in older patients with type 2 diabetes, prior to the development of probable dementia.