Olfactory dysfunction and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis

作者：Zhuoshen Lin, Wenjing Liao, Meiqian Xu, Tianlong Li, Lijuan Song, Gui Chen, Huakang Du, Guofei Feng, Zhiming Feng, Qi Zhang, Yabang Chen, Jiayi Liu, Baoxin Peng, Jianlei Xie, Xiaowen Zhang · 发表于：Journal of Global Health · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.7189/jogh.16.04146 · 研究领域：Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies、Neurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments、Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is a highly prevalent sensory deficit in older adults and a recognised early indicator of biological ageing and neurodegenerative disorders. Emerging epidemiological evidence links olfactory impairment to an elevated risk of all-cause mortality, yet methodological variations in how olfactory dysfunction is defined and assessed across studies have led to inconsistent effect estimates, necessitating a systematic, quantitative synthesis of the evidence. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed and the Cochrane Library for cohort studies published up to 1 July 2025 that investigated the association between olfactory dysfunction and mortality in older adults. We used a multilevel meta-analytic model with restricted maximum likelihood estimation to calculate pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: We identified 14 eligible cohort studies (12 included in meta-analysis). Olfactory dysfunction was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, with a pooled HR of 1.20 (95% CI = 1.11, 1.29, P < 0.001). Publication bias was detected (Egger's test, P = 0.0003), and Trim-and-Fill correction attenuated the pooled HR to 1.09 (95% CI = 1.00, 1.19), with the association remaining statistically significant. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the primary finding, with no single study driving the association. Conclusions: Olfactory dysfunction is associated with all-cause...