Routine blood test may predict dementia risk 15 years ahead

A study of 316,542 Korean adults aged 40 and older linked hemoglobin levels to dementia risk over up to 15 years. The lowest hemoglobin group had a 16% higher risk of any dementia and the highest group a 7% higher risk versus the reference group.

• Cohort of 316,542 Korean adults followed for up to 15 years
• Low hemoglobin: +16% dementia risk; high hemoglobin: +7%
• Alzheimer's risk 14% higher in the lowest hemoglobin group
• Vascular dementia: +19% at low and +18% at high hemoglobin