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[Dysosmia and dysgeusia in the elderly]
Revue De Laryngologie - Otologie - Rhinologie
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Olfactory and gustatory disorders are common in the elderly but often well-tolerated. Recognition olfactometry effectively detects hyposmia (reduced sense of smell) in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Sensory Science
Context:
- Aging population presents unique health challenges.
- Sensory decline, including smell and taste, impacts quality of life.
- Prevalence of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in elderly populations is under-recognized.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence of olfactory and gustatory disorders in elderly patients.
- To assess the utility of specific diagnostic tools for sensory dysfunction.
- To evaluate the impact and patient perception of these disorders in older adults.
Summary:
- A study of 50 elderly patients utilized interviews, ENT examinations, chemical gustrometry, and recognition olfactometry.
- Olfaction assessment revealed hyposmia in 25% of patients, significantly higher than self-reported rates (11%).
- Gustation evaluation identified hypogeusia in 4% and parageusia in 5% of participants.
Impact:
- Olfactory and gustatory impairments are frequently undetected and underreported by elderly individuals.
- Despite being well-tolerated, these sensory deficits warrant further investigation.
- Recognition olfactometry is a valuable tool for identifying hyposmia in geriatric populations.