Olfactory impairment and the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The prediction of the impact of olfactory impairment on cognitive decline in older adults has been different among different age groups.

Objective: This meta-analysis sought to estimate the predictive power of olfactory impairment on cognitive decline during follow-up in older adults of different ages.

Material and methods: A medical literature search was carried out using these databases for eligible studies: MEDLINE, COCHRANE and EMBASE. Studies recording olfaction and cognition detection at the beginning and end of the follow-up were included in the preliminary screening. The medical records of older adults without cognitive impairment at the beginning of the follow-up were taken into account in this analysis. Raw data was extracted in order to estimate the relative risk and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Subgroup analysis of age was performed to eliminate the effect of age on the results. Statistical heterogeneity was measured using the I² index and Cochran's Q test.

Results: Eight studies were enrolled in this analysis (3237 events and 13165 participants), and the pooled relative risk for the 70-80 years old subgroup was 2.00 (95% CI=1.79-2.23).

Conclusion: Relatively, there is a higher risk of cognitive impairment at the end of follow-up in younger adults with olfactory impairment at the beginning of follow-up. The length of follow-up has a little effect on the relative risk.

Keywords: Anosmia; Cognitive declines; Dementia; Meta-analysis; Olfaction disorders.