Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2015 , Vol 18, Issue 1
AN ASSESSMENT OF OLFACTORY FUNCTION IN AN ELDERLY POPULATION
Mehmet YAŞAR1, Mustafa SAĞIT1, Halil POLAT1, Sabri GÜLER3, Orhan GÖRGÜLÜ2, İbrahim ÖZCAN1
1Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Clinic, KAYSERÄ°
2Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Clinic, ADANA
3Bigadiç State Hospital, Otorhinolaryngology Clinic, BALIKESİR
Introduction: It is estimated that the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in the general population varies from 3% to 8%. However, in elderly populations, particularly in those older than 65 years of age, the prevalence exceeds 60%. In this study, we compared the olfactory function of an elderly population with young healthy individuals using the Sniffin' Sticks smell identification test.

Materials and Method: All subjects had presented to the Kayseri Training and Research Hospital between May 2013 and May 2014. One-hundred and seven patients older than 60 years of age were included in one group, while twenty one healthy volunteers younger than 60 years of age were included in the second group. Twelve odours were tested in all subjects using Sniffin' Sticks Test. Answers were recorded and calculated as Sniffin' Sticks Test score, which was used to classify patients as follows: 10–12 points, normosmic; 7–9 points, hyposmic; and 0–6 points, anosmic.

Results: The average elderly population Sniffin' Sticks test score (7.97±2.2) was significantly lower than that of the young healthy population (10.86±1.06) (p<0.001). In the elderly population, 14% were classified as normosmic, 71% were hyposmic and 15% were anosmic. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in total smell score between genders (p=0.799).

Conclusion: It was found that Sniffin' Sticks Test score were significantly lower in an elderly population when compared to a young population. Further comprehensive studies evaluating additional parameters such as odour threshold and perception are needed in elderly population. Keywords : Smell; Identification; Geriatrics