Background
Methods
Subjects
Clinical assessment
Measurement of olfactory function
Determination of amino acid levels in plasma
Statistical analysis
Results
Characteristics of the elderly subjects in the HANI study
Variable | Total | Normal Trp group | Low Trp group |
---|---|---|---|
Number (% of men) | 144 (36.1) | 128 (36.7) | 16 (31.3) |
Age, y (range) | 73.7 ± 5.5 (65−93) | 73.2 ± 5.3 (65−93) | 77.5 ± 6.4 (66−91)* |
BMI, kg/m2 (range) | 23.4 ± 3.2 (16.7−33.6) | 23.4 ± 3.0 (16.9−33.6) | 23.7 ± 4.3 (16.7−31.7) |
Serum albumin, g/dL (range) | 4.4 ± 0.2 (3.7−4.9) | 4.4 ± 0.2 (3.7−4.9) | 4.4 ± 0.2 (4.0−4.9) |
Hemoglobin, mg/dL (range) | 13.9 ± 1.3 (10.1−16.7) | 13.9 ± 1.3 (10.1−16.7) | 13.5 ± 1.3 (11.5−15.9) |
CRP, mg/L (range) | 0.090 ± 0.10 (0.004−0.5) | 0.095 ± 0.11 (0.007−0.5) | 0.055 ± 0.04 (0.004−0.143)** |
Low albumin, % (n) | None | None | None |
Anemia, % (n) | 6.3 (9) | 5.5 (7) | 12.5 (2) |
High CRP, % (n) | None | None | None |
ADL disability | None | None | None |
OE score | 6.2 ± 2.9 (0−12) | 6.5 ± 2.8 (0−12) | 4.4 ± 2.4 (0−8)** |
Relationship between low plasma Trp levels and olfactory function
Smell | Correct answer rate (%) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Normal | Low Trp | Significance | |
India ink | 63.0 | 25.0 | ** |
Timber | 29.7 | 37.5 | N.S. |
Perfume | 35.9 | 6.3 | * |
Menthol | 63.2 | 68.8 | N.S. |
Mandarin orange | 57.0 | 43.8 | N.S. |
Curry | 84.4 | 62.5 | * |
Gas | 44.9 | 25.0 | N.S. |
Rose | 28.9 | 6.3 | N.S. |
Cypress | 65.6 | 43.8 | N.S. |
Sweaty smelling socks | 63.3 | 31.3 | * |
Condensed milk | 66.4 | 60.0 | N.S. |
Fried garlic | 46.1 | 31.3 | N.S. |
Variable | Odds ratio (95% CI) |
P value |
---|---|---|
India ink | 5.16 (1.6–19.9) | 0.0047** |
Perfume | 7.40 (1.38–137) | 0.0154* |
Curry | 3.02 (0.84–10.2) | 0.0871 |
Sweaty smelling socks | 3.26 (1.06–11.2) | 0.0384* |
OE score ≤ 7 | 7.75 (1.42–145) | 0.0142* |