A poor sense of smell could carry the stench of death

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-04-11 01:00

International

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photograph-of-an-elderly-person-smelling-pink-dahlia-flowers-10049220/

Older people with a poorer sense of smell might be at higher risk of death over the next 6 years, according to international research. The study of around 25000 people with an average age of 71 found that for each additional incorrect answer on a smell identification test, there was a 6% risk of death within the next 6 years. The highest risk was linked to death from neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia. The researchers say this reinforces that poor sense of smell is a marker of health outcomes. An accompanying editorial says that a sense of smell appears to be a unique canary in the coal mine.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University, Sweden

Funder: Dr Ekström reported grants from Riksbankens Jubileumsfond and Swedish Research Council during the conduct of the study and grants from Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, Swedish Research Council, and Hjärnfonden outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

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