Age‐related differences in olfactory training outcomes: A prospective cohort study

IntroductionWhile olfactory function decreases with age, it is unknown how age affects olfactory training (OT) efficacy. This study compared OT in two cohorts of subjects: aged ≤50 (younger cohort) and aged 51+ (older cohort) with olfactory dysfunction (OD) primarily from COVID‐19 infection.MethodsSubjects with OD primarily secondary to COVID‐19 infection were prospectively recruited and enrolled into an OT registry. Baseline data were collected and they were provided with a training kit and asked to complete OT at home twice daily for 6 months. Participants were asked to follow‐up at 3 and 6 months during training for olfactory testing and quality‐of‐life surveys (Sino‐Nasal Outcomes Test‐22 [SNOT‐22] and Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders Negative Statements [QoD‐NS]).ResultsFifty‐six participants completed OT (younger cohort: n = 26, older cohort: n = 30). There were no significant differences between cohorts’ Affordable Rapid Olfactory Measurement Array (AROMA), QoD‐NS, or SNOT‐22 scores at any time point. Both cohorts showed significant AROMA score improvement of more than 16 points from baseline to 3 months (younger cohort: p = 0.001; older cohort: p = 0.008). The younger cohort had significant improvements in QoD‐NS (p = 0.008) and SNOT‐22 (p = 0.042) between baseline and 3 months while the older cohort improved from 3 to 6 months (QoD‐NS: p = 0.027, SNOT‐22: p = 0.049).ConclusionBoth cohorts demonstrated similar significant improvement in olfactory function after 3 months of OT. The timeline of subjective improvement was different between cohorts, with younger patients experiencing earlier improvement.