Association of Olfactory and Gustatory Function with Memory among Community-Dwelling Independent Older Adults
- Author:
Hyuma MAKIZAKO
1
;
Yuki NAKAI
;
Shoma AKAIDA
;
Yoshiaki TANIGUCHI
;
Takaki MIWA
;
Shigeto MORIMOTO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From: Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research 2024;28(2):178-183
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:This study examined the association between memory function and reduced olfactory and gustatory function among independent community-dwelling older adults.
Methods:This cross-sectional study included 127 older adults (65.4% women). We assessed their memory, odor, and taste identification skills. Open essence (OE) test and taste strips (TS) were used to identify hyposmia (OE test ≤6) and hypogeusia (TS test ≤8), respectively.
Results:Participants with severe hyposmia had significantly poorer memory functions compared to participants without severe hyposmia. After adjusting for covariates, multivariate logistic regression models revealed a significant association between immediate recognition performance and a decreased likelihood of severe hyposmia (odds ratio=0.65; 95% confidence interval 0.47–0.90). We observed no significant association between taste function and memory.
Conclusion:Memory function may be associated with olfactory impairment in older adults.
