Prevalence of osmophobia in migrainous patients and analysis of triggering odors

Abstract

Objetive: Evaluate the prevalence of osmophobia in migrainous patients and verify the worst interpreted odor family or one that would act as a trigger to crisis. Methods: Cohort cross-sectional clinical study with 141 patients, evaluating the prevalence of osmophobia in individuals diagnosed with migraine. It questioned the presence of osmophobia and the evaluation was made by means of inhalation of six odors presented randomly and with no suggestion towards identification. After smelling the perfumes, the patients attributed a score to the provoked bother, being "0" indifferent and "10" unbearable. In the end, the presence of pain crisis was questioned, in case of a positive response, what was the triggering odor. Results: The prevalence of osmophobia was 61.7%, with a mean age of 31.28 ± 12.57 years old, with 80.8% being women, and the osmophobia was more prevalent in those, 30.5% had a crisis after the odor presentation and 79.1% identified the triggering odor. For all odors, the individuals that reported pain crisis and osmophobia always attributed higher scores. Conclusion: Osmophobia was prevalent and the essences worked as pain triggers, however, it wasn't found an odor that stood out in the capacity of triggering migrainous crisis.