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Published:
Jul 3, 2026DOI:
10.4314/gmj.v60i2.4Keywords:
Article Details
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Main Article Content
Prevalence and correlates of olfactory dysfunction and depression in older adults in Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of olfactory impairment and depressive symptoms among older outpatients in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Design: A prospective cross-sectional study
Setting: Outpatient clinic in a tertiary health facility in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Participants: 260 adults, aged ≥60 years
Main outcome measure: Assessment of Olfaction with the Sniffin’ Sticks total threshold‑discrimination‑identification (TDI) score and dichotomised into normal versus olfactory dysfunction. Assessment of Depressive symptoms using the 15‑item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS‑15; score ≥5). Structured interviews captured sociodemographic and clinical variables. Associations were examined using unadjusted and multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, education, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus
Results: Olfactory dysfunction was present in 66.9% of participants, while 15.0% screened positive for depression. Increasing age was independently associated with olfactory dysfunction (AOR 2.61 per 10‑year increase; 95% CI 1.64–4.15; p<0.001) and depression (AOR 2.99 per 10‑year increase; 95% CI 1.75–5.12; p<0.001). Compared with tertiary education, secondary education was associated with higher odds of olfactory dysfunction (AOR 3.14; 95% CI 1.24–7.95; p=0.016). Hypertension was associated with lower odds of depression (AOR 0.42; 95% CI 0.19–0.93; p=0.033). An unadjusted association between olfactory dysfunction and depression was observed (OR 3.12; 95% CI 1.25–7.77; p=0.014).
Conclusion: Older age remained a consistent predictor of both outcomes, and lower educational attainment was associated with higher odds of olfactory dysfunction. Findings support integrating sensory/mental health screening into geriatric care and highlight the need for longitudinal studies to clarify temporality and causation and policy implications.
