Prevalence of olfactory impairment in older adults.

摘要: Context Older adults represent the fastest-growing segment of US population, and prevalences vision hearing impairment have been extensively evaluated. However, despite importance sense smell for nutrition safety, prevalence olfactory in older has not studied. Objective To determine adults. Design, setting, participants A total 2491 Beaver Dam, Wis, residents aged 53 to 97 years participating 5-year follow-up examination (1998-2000) Epidemiology Hearing Loss Study, a population-based, cross-sectional study. Main outcome measures Olfactory impairment, assessed by San Diego Odor Identification Test self-report. Results The mean (SD) impaired olfaction was 24.5% (1.7%). increased with age; 62.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 57.4%-67.7%) 80- 97-year-olds had impairment. more prevalent among men (adjusted ratio, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.65-2.19). Current smoking, stroke, epilepsy, nasal congestion or upper respiratory tract infection were also associated Self-reported low (9.5%) this measure became less accurate age. In oldest group, 80 years, sensitivity self-report 12% women 18% men. Conclusions This study demonstrates that is high increases Self-report significantly underestimated rates obtained testing. Physicians caregivers should be particularly alert potential elderly population.