Prevalence of olfactory impairment in older adults.
BACKGROUND
Older adults represent the fastest-growing segment of the US population, and prevalences of vision and hearing impairment have been extensively evaluated. However, despite the importance of sense of smell for nutrition and safety, the prevalence of olfactory impairment in older US adults has not been studied.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of olfactory impairment in older adults.


METHODS
A total of 2491 Beaver Dam, Wis, residents aged 53 to 97 years participating in the 5-year follow-up examination (1998-2000) for the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study, a population-based, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Olfactory impairment, assessed by the San Diego Odor Identification Test and self-report.


RESULTS
The mean (SD) prevalence of impaired olfaction was 24.5% (1.7%). The prevalence increased with age; 62.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 57.4%-67.7%) of 80- to 97-year-olds had olfactory impairment. Olfactory impairment was more prevalent among men (adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.65-2.19). Current smoking, stroke, epilepsy, and nasal congestion or upper respiratory tract infection were also associated with increased prevalence of olfactory impairment. Self-reported olfactory impairment was low (9.5%) and this measure became less accurate with age. In the oldest group, aged 80 to 97 years, sensitivity of self-report was 12% for women and 18% for men.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that prevalence of olfactory impairment among older adults is high and increases with age. Self-report significantly underestimated prevalence rates obtained by olfaction testing. Physicians and caregivers should be particularly alert to the potential for olfactory impairment in the elderly population.
Murphy
Claire
C
San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Joint Doctoral Program, 6363 Alvarado Ct, Suite 101, San Diego, CA 92120, USA. cmurphy@sciences.sdsu.edu
Schubert
Carla R
CR
Cruickshanks
Karen J
KJ
Klein
Barbara E K
BE
Klein
Ronald
R
Nondahl
David M
DM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence