Introduction of an olfactory test to clarify nutritional conditions of hospitalized patients in regional comprehensive care units

Abstract

Objective: We conducted an olfactory test at a regional comprehensive care ward to assess its utility in nutrition management for inpatients intending to return home.

Subjects and Methods: An olfactory test (5-2 method) was administered to 25 patients, classified into two groups by total test score relative to the total median score: the low score group (0-2 points) and the high score group (3-5 points). Scores of the following assessments were compared between the groups using the unpaired t-test and Mann-Whitney U test: nutrition assessment using the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI); intraoral condition assessment using the oral health assessment tool, Japanese version (OHAT-J); assessment of activities of daily living using the Barthel index (BI), and cognitive function assessment using the mini mental state examination, Japanese version (MMSE-J). The survey was conducted at regional comprehensive care units at Niigata Rinko Hospital between June 2018 and September 2018.

Results: Significant differences were found in age (p < 0.001) and GNRI (p = 0.005) between the two groups. The low score group tended to show a higher OHAT-J score (p = 0.063), but a lower BI score (p = 0.062) and a lower MMSE-J score (p = 0.091) than the high score group. The proportion of patients with a poorly cleaned tongue and oral cavity was high in patients with lower olfactory scores, suggesting an association of reduced olfactory sensitivity with deterioration in oral condition.

Conclusions: Comprehensive assessment, including olfactory tests, is useful in nutritional therapy planning and nutrition intervention implementation.