A Study on Olfactory Dysfunction in Turkish Population with using Survey Method and Validated Olfactory Testing

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of olfactory dysfunction on quality of life (QOL), and to investigate olfactory dysfunction related self-reported clinical features in Turkish population. The participants were questioned about the presence of any olfactory dysfunction. Participants with a complaint of olfactory dysfunction were asked to fill out a survey and then a validated olfactory test was performed. We asked 2,824 volunteers whether they had olfactory dysfunctions or not. A total of 199 (6.7 %) people mentioned that they had, and filled out the questions in our survey. The mean age of the surveyed population was 44 ± 15 years. The current investigation produced four major findings (1) the feeling of inadequacy due to olfactory dysfunction was more common among females than males (2) there was a significant correlation between subjective olfactory complaints and objective olfactory testing (3) problems in QOL issues are typically reported primarily in the areas of safety and nutrition (4) the possible reasons for the olfactory dysfunction according to the volunteers were upper respiratory infections including rhinosinusitis (46 %), allergic rhinitis (27 %), severe face and head trauma (6.5 %). The effect of subjective olfactory dysfunctions on QOL among the Turkish population was investigated for the first time. Problems in daily life issues are typically reported primarily in the areas of safety and nutrition.

Assessment of the Olfactory Function in Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Using the Sniffin’ Sticks Test: A Case‐Control Study

“…The healthy volunteers also underwent Multi-Clinic Smell and Taste Questionnaire for study participation. This led to the fact that the incidence of olfactory disorder was found higher in our study compared to a study in the Turkish population using questionnaires 43 (57% vs 6.7%), possibly due to objective assessment with a standardized test tool. We also detected hyposmia in 29.8% of controls.…”

International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: Olfaction

“…Many studies have explored the QOL impact of OD. Those including safety-related issues have indicated increased incidence of fear or concern for gas leaks (49%-60% 67,68,76,77 ), smoke/fires (30%-50% 68,[77][78][79][80] ), chemical exposures (6%-40% 68,80 ), and eating spoiled foods (15%-71% 67,[76][77][78][79][80] ). However, only two of these studies employed some form of olfactory-intact control population, with one relying on patient-report of function, 68 and the other using objective testing.…”

Cross-Culturally Modified University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test for a Turkish Population

“…Although, a detailed history was taken and an otorhinolaryngological examination was performed, we did not use another olfactory testing battery or electrophysiological testing, e.g., olfactometry, to confirm our results, although, there was a significant correlation between self-reporting olfactory dysfunction and olfactory tests. 3,25,26 Also, it was reported that, although the sensitivity of selfreporting olfactory dysfunction (ability of self-reporting to identify subjects truly with impairment) is poor (20%), the specificity (ability of self-reporting to identify subjects with normal olfactory function) is very high (94%). So, results of this study indicate that individuals with normal olfactory function tend to accurately report no abnormity.…”

“…Problems in quality of life are reported particularly in the areas of eating and safety, but olfaction also influences social communication, even reproductive behavior. [1][2][3][4][5][6] The major causes of olfactory disorders are infections of the upper respiratory tract, sinonasal diseases, head trauma, and toxic exposure. 7,8 Although, the prevalence of self-reported olfactory dysfunction was between 1.4% and 15%, population-based studies found the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction to be as high as 24%.…”

“…7,8 Although, the prevalence of self-reported olfactory dysfunction was between 1.4% and 15%, population-based studies found the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction to be as high as 24%. 2,3,[9][10][11][12] Because a significant number of patients mention a reduction in their olfactory function, it becomes important to use accurate diagnostic tools to assess such function quantitatively, e.g., the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) (Sensonics, Int., Haddon Heights, NJ), 13 "Sniffin' Sticks," 14 (Burghart, Wedel, Germany) or measurements of event-related potentials 15 ). Smell disorders, such as anosmia or hyposmia, can be differentiated from normal olfactory function by using these tests.…”