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Odor detection thresholds in a population of older adults
Author(s) -
Schubert Carla R.,
Fischer Mary E.,
Pinto A. Alex,
Klein Barbara E. K.,
Klein Ronald,
Cruickshanks Karen J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.26457
Subject(s) - medicine , odor , olfactometer , population , odds ratio , cohort , cohort study , audiology , psychology , ecology , environmental health , neuroscience , biology , host (biology)
Objectives/Hypothesis To measure odor detection thresholds and associated nasal and behavioral factors in an older adult population. Study Design Cross‐sectional cohort study. Methods Odor detection thresholds were obtained using an automated olfactometer on 832 participants, aged 68 to 99 (mean age = 77) years in the 21‐year (2013–2016) follow‐up visit of the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study. Results The mean odor detection threshold (ODT) score was 8.2 (range = 1–13; standard deviation = 2.54), corresponding to an n‐butanol concentration of slightly less than 0.03%. Older participants were significantly more likely to have lower (worse) ODT scores than younger participants ( P < .001). There were no significant differences in mean ODT scores between men and women. Older age was significantly associated with worse performance in multivariable regression models, and exercising at least once per week was associated with reduced odds of having a low (≤5) ODT score. Cognitive impairment was also associated with poor performance, whereas a history of allergies or a deviated septum was associated with better performance. Conclusions Odor detection threshold scores were worse in older age groups but similar between men and women in this large population of older adults. Regular exercise was associated with better odor detection thresholds, adding to the evidence that decline in olfactory function with age may be partly preventable. Level of Evidence 3b. Laryngoscope , 127:1257–1262, 2017