# Prevalence of decreased olfactory function in adults in a Brazilian population sample

## TL;DR

This study found that older adults in Brazil have an 8% higher risk of losing their sense of smell each year, with many cases going undiagnosed.

## Contribution

The study provides new prevalence data on undiagnosed olfactory dysfunction in a Brazilian population over 40.

## Key findings

- 96.9% of elderly participants experienced olfactory changes, compared to 80.4% of younger participants.
- Age was a significant predictor of olfactory dysfunction, with an 8% increased risk per year.
- Self-reported olfactory function had low correlation with objective test results.

## Abstract

•Older individuals with an 8% increased risk of developing loss of smell.•Low correlations between self-reported olfactory function and objective performance.•The sense of smell is often underestimated.

Older individuals with an 8% increased risk of developing loss of smell.

Low correlations between self-reported olfactory function and objective performance.

The sense of smell is often underestimated.

To investigate the prevalence of undiagnosed olfactory changes in individuals over 40 and the associated factors.

A cross-sectional study enrolled a group of adult and elderly patients who did not report any nasal issues or olfactory changes with a clear or highly probable causal connection. They were subjected to the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) and the Visual Analog Scale to evaluate olfactory capacity.

Two hundred eighty-four volunteers participated. Among the elderly, 96.9% experienced olfactory changes, while 80.4% of the younger group did. There was a significant correlation between age and UPSIT results (Rho = 0.33, p < 0.001) in the elderly. A higher prevalence of olfactory impairment was found in the elderly (p < 0.001). The age predictor showed an OR of 1.081 (p < 0.01, 95% CI 1.03–1.12). Both elderly and adults reported similar rates of altered olfaction, at 14.5% and 14.3%, respectively.

There was a higher prevalence and risk of developing decreased olfaction in the elderly, with an 8% greater risk of olfactory dysfunction for each passing year.

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