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Olfaction and Mobility in Older Adults.

Yaqun Yuan1, Keran W Chamberlin1, Chenxi Li1

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing.

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Summary

Older adults with poor sense of smell experience faster declines in mobility. This includes slower walking speed and increased difficulty completing walking tests, highlighting a link between olfaction and aging mobility.

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Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Neuroscience
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Decreased mobility is a common aspect of aging.
  • Olfactory dysfunction is prevalent in older adults and may correlate with mobility changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between impaired olfaction and accelerated mobility decline in an elderly population.
  • To determine if poor smell identification predicts future mobility impairments.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving 2500 participants from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study.
  • Olfactory function assessed using the Brief Smell Identification Test; mobility measured via 20-m and 400-m walking tests over a 7-year follow-up.
  • Data analyzed using multivariate-adjusted models, sensitivity, and subgroup analyses.

Main Results:

  • Poor olfaction (hyposmia and anosmia) was linked to slower baseline walking speed and a faster rate of decline.
  • Participants with anosmia had significantly higher odds of being unable to complete the 400-m fast walking test at years 8 and 10.
  • Findings were robust across sensitivity and subgroup analyses, confirming the association.

Conclusions:

  • Impaired olfaction is a significant predictor of accelerated mobility decline in older adults.
  • The study suggests a potential link between sensory decline and motor function in aging.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of this association.