Sense of Smell Could Predict Mortality Risk

Poor olfaction is an independent predictor of mortality in healthy older adults, according to the results of a recent study.

Poor olfaction has been linked to higher mortality in the past, but most studies have had relatively short follow-up, according to the researchers.

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To examine this further, as well as investigate potential explanations for this association, the researchers conducted a community-based prospective cohort study involving 2289 adults aged 71 to 82 years at baseline.

The participants underwent Brief Smell Identification Test in 1999 or 2000 and all-cause and cause-specific mortality at 3, 5, 10, and 13 years was recorded.

Overall, 1211 participants died by year 13. Those patients with poor olfaction had a 46% higher cumulative risk of death at year 10 and a 30% higher risk at year 13 than those with good olfaction. The association was evident in patients reporting excellent or good health at baseline but not in those reporting fair to poor health. Poor olfaction was also associated with higher mortality from neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disease.

“Poor olfaction is associated with higher long-term mortality among older adults, particularly those with excellent to good health at baseline. Neurodegenerative diseases and weight loss explain only part of the increased mortality.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Liu B, Luo Z, Pinto JM, et al. Relationship between poor olfaction and mortality among community-dwelling older adults: a cohort study [published online April 30, 2019]. Ann Intern Med. DOI: 10.7326/M18-0775.