Taste and Smell Impairment in Institutionalized and Free-Living Italian Elderly People

Introduction A survey was conducted to investigate on the prevalence and distribution of taste and smell (chemosensory) impairments in two samples of Italian elderly people, one of frail institutionalized (n=76) and the other of healthy free-living (n=239) individuals. Olfactory and gustatory functions were evaluated by three validated commercial tests (Burghart GmbH Wedel Germany): an odour identification test, a threshold odour test, a taste test. Prevalence of chemosensory impairment in institutionalized subjects is overall much higher (81%) than among the free-living (54%). Specifically, the rate of smell impairment in the two groups is slightly diff erent, while the prevalence of taste impairment is significantly higher among institutionalized. This result is probably due to the medical conditions and high number of medications taken by this sample of frail older persons. Further investigation should be done on larger sample of the Italian population, using standardized methodology in order to obtain more reliable data to be compared with other populations. Moreover, due to the high prevalence rate detected in the present investigation, it is recommended the implementation of information campaigns aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge of these disorders and the associated risks, especially among elderly people living alone.