Impaired sensory functioning in elders: The relation with its potential determinants and nutritional intake

This study assessed the relation of an impaired taste and smell perception with (a) potential determinants and (b) nutritional intake and status in el derly people. Determinants examined were age, gender, functional category ( institutionalized vs independently living), dental state, illnesses, smokin g behavior, drug usage, and saliva excretion and composition. Nutritional i ntake and status were measured by an "appetite and hunger" questionnaire, a food frequency questionnaire, and body mass index (BMI) In order to have a ccess to a large heterogeneous group, two different categories of elderly p eople were Studied We enrolled independently living elders (n=89) assumed t o have a relatively good taste and smell perception, and institutionalized elders (n=67) with a potential poorer taste and smell perception. Scores at the smell identification (range: 0-10) and taste perception (range: 0-4) t est were, respectively, 5.7 (independently living) versus 3.5 (institutiona lized); p < .0001 and 3.3 versus 3.0; p < .05. Correlation between smell te st scores and outcomes of the "appetite and hunger" questionnaire ranged fr om r: .19 to .50; p values < .05. There was, however, no clear correlation of any sensory outcome with energy and food intake, nor with SMI. Regressio n analyses revealed that age and the functional category were the most impo rtant determinants of the scores on the taste perception and smell indentif ication tests. If is concluded that a poor performance on sensory tests is related to a poor appetite but not necessarily to low energy intake or low BMI. Age-related factors and smoking are important determinants of impaired sensory functioning.