# Impact of medication use on olfactory performance in older adults

## TL;DR

This study explores how medications affect the sense of smell in older adults, finding that some drugs like laxatives worsen it while others like PPIs and vitamin D improve it.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific medications associated with olfactory performance in older adults, highlighting laxatives, PPIs, and vitamin D.

## Key findings

- Laxative use is linked to poorer olfactory threshold performance.
- PPI and vitamin D intake are associated with improved olfactory identification.
- Polypharmacy is not significantly associated with olfactory dysfunction.

## Abstract

Olfactory dysfunction impacts quality of life, safety, and nutrition. Despite its relevance among older adults, the role of medications in influencing olfactory performance remains understudied. This research investigates whether olfactory alterations in older adults are associated with the type or number of medications prescribed.

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted with 107 participants (mean age of 86.1 ± 5.1 years). Olfactory performance was evaluated using the Sniffin’ Sticks Test (SST). Functional capacity, cognitive function and the number and type of medications were also assessed.

The analysis demonstrated a correlation between better olfactory performance and higher cognitive function. An inverse correlation was found between the age of participants and olfactory identification. While polypharmacy (intake of five or more medications) did not show a significant association with olfactory dysfunction, the intake of laxatives was associated with poorer olfactory threshold performance (−1.21, 95% CI −2.07 to −0.34; p = 0.008). In contrast, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (1.14, 95% CI 0.07 to 2.21; p = 0.04) and vitamin D (1.09, 95% CI 0.03 to 2.15; p = 0.04) intake were linked to improved olfactory identification.

These findings suggest that certainmedications influence olfactory performance; however, further research is needed to clarify the effects of different drug classes on olfaction.