Prevalence and Correlates of Olfactory Dysfunction in Old Age: A Population-Based Study

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Janina Seubert - , Karolinska Institutet (Autor:in)
  • Erika J Laukka - , Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University (Autor:in)
  • Debora Rizzuto - , Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University (Autor:in)
  • Thomas Hummel - , Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde (Autor:in)
  • Laura Fratiglioni - , Stockholm Gerontology Research Center (Autor:in)
  • Lars Bäckman - , Stockholm Gerontology Research Center (Autor:in)
  • Maria Larsson - , Stockholm University (Autor:in)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) in old age is associated with poor health outcomes. Interrelationships among different correlates of OD can offer insights into the underlying mechanisms, but to date remain understudied.

METHODS: Odor identification performance and self-reported olfactory functioning were studied in 2,234 people aged 60-90 years, who were free of neurodegenerative disease and enrolled in the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K) study, Stockholm, Sweden. OD was defined as the inability to identify more than 10 out of 16 odors (free or cued identification) in a standardized odor identification task. OD prevalence was estimated, and associations with demographic, genetic, vascular, clinical, and behavioral factors, as well as their interactions were examined using multiple logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS: Overall prevalence of OD was 24.8% (CI: 23.1; 26.6). Self-reports were characterized by low sensitivity (35%), but high specificity (87%). Advancing age (OR = 15.50, CI = 9.40; 26.10 between the first and last age group), and history of coronary heart disease (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.04; 1.75) were the principal factors associated with an increased probability of OD, whereas female gender (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.43; 0.66) and more years of education (OR = 0.97, CI 0.94; 0.99) were linked to a lower probability. Exploratory interaction analyses indicated that prevalence of OD was particularly elevated among Apolipropotein E (APOE) ε4 allele carriers who were also obese, and that being physically active counteracted the negative impact of cerebrovascular disease on OD.

CONCLUSION: Demographic and genetic factors, but also prior and current health insults, are linked to OD in old age. Modulatory effects of behavioral factors highlight their value as possible prevention targets.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)1072-1079
Seitenumfang8
FachzeitschriftThe journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
Jahrgang72
Ausgabenummer8
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 1 Aug. 2017
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

PubMedCentral PMC5861894
Scopus 85021692683
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/164619775

Schlagworte

Schlagwörter

  • Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging/physiology, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Olfaction Disorders/diagnosis, Olfactory Perception, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Self Report, Smell, Statistics as Topic, Sweden/epidemiology