Nasal tactile sensitivity in elderly.
CONCLUSIONS
Although older people varied widely in tactile sensitivity, our results show that tactile thresholds increased with age.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aging on nasal tactile sensitivity.


METHODS
A total of 160 healthy patients aged between 50 and 90 years were included. According to their age, patients were divided into groups (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H). From the age of 50, each group included subjects with an age range of 5 years (i.e. group A, 50-55 years; group B, 56-60 years, etc.). Each patient's outcome was assessed through the nasal monofilament test: a set of 20 Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments was used to detect nasal sensitivity for both nasal cavities. The sensitivity threshold was recorded as the minimum monofilament size from which patients could detect at least two of three stimuli.


RESULTS
In groups D (66-70 years), E (71-75 years), F (76-80 years), G (81-85 years), and H (86-90 years) a significantly (p < 0.05) higher stimulus (171.1 ± 0.34 mg vs 67.7 mg, 167.01 ± 0.31 mg 67.7 mg, 166.54 ± 0.28 mg 67.7 mg, 201.24 ± 0.43 mg 67.7 mg, 165,87 ± 0.27 mg 67.7 mg) was required to trigger a touch response in the monofilament test.
ENT Department, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Francesco Antonio
FA
Salzano
Luca
L
Guastini
Renzo
R
Mora
Massimo
M
Dellepiane
Giovanni
G
Salzano
Valentina
V
Santomauro
Angelo
A
Salami
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000294:innervation*; D012016:Reference Values; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology*; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*; D014420:Turbinates / Q000294:innervation*