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Aaron Hoskins
SDSU Marketing & Communications
(619) 594-1119 office
ahoskins@mail.sdsu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDSU Study
Sense of Smell Disorders Vastly Underreported Among Older Adults
Symptoms Create Safety Risks: Inability to Sense Gas Leaks, Rotten Food

SAN DIEGO, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002 - A new San Diego State University study published today in the November issue of the Journal of American Medical Association finds cases of smell loss are significantly underreported or undiagnosed - especially among older adults.

The National Institute of Health reports 200,000 physician visits per year for smell loss impairment in the United States, but according to the study conducted by SDSU psychology professor Claire Murphy and colleagues, the true number of people with smell disorders may be closer to 14 million.

"As much as 25 percent of adults 53 and older suffer from smell loss, while as little as 2 percent are diagnosed with the impairment," Murphy said. "Those who suffer undiagnosed sensory malfunction lack the vital ability to detect certain dangers, including gas leaks, rotten food and more.

"In the most dangerous terms, the loss of taste and smell can prevent someone from avoiding a deadly accident," Murphy said. "But even at the most basic level, olfactory impairments lessen quality of life. One of the great pleasures when people are older in life is to share a meal with friends, and smell impairment greatly decreases that enjoyment."

More than 2,800 people were individually tested using an eight-odor identification exam, including coffee, chocolate and other common odors typically found in the home. Odorants were presented in random order to the participants and scores were calculated as the percentage of odorants correctly identified. Participants identifying fewer than six odorants were considered impaired.

Men are more at risk for smell impairment than women. Men in their 60s and 70s showed twice the prevalence of smell impairment seen in women. Of the participants over 80 years old, 70 percent of the men and 60 percent of the women were impaired.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Founded in 1897, SDSU has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 78 areas, master's degrees in 62 areas and doctorates in 14. SDSU's more than 33,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information log on to www.sdsu.edu.

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