What is the Correlation between Ratings and Measures of Olfactory Function in Patients with Olfactory Loss?

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 567-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antje Welge-Luessen ◽  
Thomas Hummel ◽  
Tomislav Stojan ◽  
Markus Wolfensberger
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
Individual Basis ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Visual Analog Scales ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Olfactory Abilities

Background Major complaints of many patients with olfactory dysfunction relate to the impairment of quality of life. Nevertheless, it is unclear to what extent there is a correlation between ratings of olfactory abilities/impairment and olfactory function. Methods Patients with olfactory dysfunction (n = 152) were examined psychometrically using the “Sniffin’ Sticks” test battery. Ratings of olfactory function and ratings of impairment were recorded using visual analog scales. Results Following standardized olfactory testing, 78 of the 152 patients were categorized as functionally anosmic, 64 as hyposmic, and 10 as normosmic. Groups differed significantly with regard to ratings of olfactory function. Functionally anosmic patients rated impairment to be significantly higher compared with hyposmic and normosmic patients. Ratings of olfactory function correlated significantly with measured olfactory function (r = +0.57) and ratings of impairment (r = —0.30). Conclusion There was a moderate correlation between ratings and measures of olfactory function. On average, functionally anosmic patients recognized their olfactory loss, although, on an individual basis, there were striking differences between measures and ratings of olfactory function.

Quality of Life in Patients With Olfactory Loss Is Better Predicted by Flavor Identification Than by Orthonasal Olfactory Function

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 371-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Oleszkiewicz ◽  
Dahae Park ◽  
Katarzyna Resler ◽  
Julia Draf ◽  
Anja Schulze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Olfactory Testing

Abstract To date, most studies on the relationship between chemosensory performance and quality of life have focused on orthonasal measures of olfactory function. In the current investigation, we examined the predictive value of orthonasal and flavor identification indices of olfactory function on a wide spectrum of health and sociopsychological factors, including quality of life, life satisfaction, overall health, and depressive symptoms. Participants were 178 ENT patients (Mage = 58 ± 1), representing various causes of olfactory loss: idiopathic smell loss (n = 51; Mage = 63 ± 2), sinunasal disease (n = 27; Mage = 56 ± 3), head trauma (n = 33; Mage = 51 ± 2), and infections of the upper respiratory tract (n = 67; Mage = 59 ± 2). They completed self-report questionnaires and underwent olfactory testing using Sniffin’ Sticks (orthonasal olfactory testing) and “Taste Powder” (intraorally applied flavors for retronasal olfactory testing, additionally inducing taste sensation). Data were analyzed with hierarchical regression models wherein the first step included subjects’ sex, age, and orthonasal olfaction score. In the second step, we included the “Taste Powder” score. Tested models revealed that the first step was not significantly predicting variables of interest; however, there was an improvement of the model’s predictive value when the “Taste Powder” score was added. Results of this study suggest that flavor identification significantly improves predictions of health and sociopsychological functioning of ENT patients with various etiologies.

Association between olfactory function and quality of life in patients with olfactory disorders: a multicenter study in over 760 participants

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
pp. 0-0
Author(s):  
L-q. Zou ◽  
T. Hummel ◽  
M.S. Otte ◽  
T. Bitter ◽  
G. Besser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Visual Analog Scales ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
The Individual

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional, multi-centric study aimed to investigate the differences in quality of life among patients with olfactory dysfunction (OD) of different origin, and to identify factors associated with olfactory-related quality of life (QOL). METHODS: Seven hundred sixty-three adults were recruited from 8 Smell & Taste clinics in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Olfactory-related QOL was assessed by the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (QOD). Olfactory function was assessed with the “Sniffin’ Sticks” test; self-assessment was performed with visual analog scales. RESULTS: Patients with post-infectious and post-traumatic OD showed poorer olfactory-related QOL than patients with sinonasal and idiopathic OD. The olfactory-related QOL was positively associated with the Sniffin’ Sticks test score, self-assessed olfactory function, disease duration, and age, with younger olfactory dysfunction patients showing lower QOL. Female patients presented with poorer olfactory-related QOL. In addition, the results showed that self-assessment of olfactory function explained more of the variance in olfactory-related QOL than olfactory function evaluated by the Sniffin’ Sticks test. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the psychophysical testing results, several factors such as disease cause, disease duration, sex, or self- assessed olfactory dysfunction should be taken into account when assessing the individual severity of the smell loss.

Reliability and validity of a brief version of the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (brief QOD) in patients with olfactory dysfunction

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
pp. 0-0
Author(s):  
L. Zou ◽  
A. Haehner ◽  
S. Menzel ◽  
N. Gunder ◽  
T. Hummel
Keyword(s):  
Disease Burden ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Professional Life ◽  
Disability Assessment ◽  
Treatment Control ◽  
Visual Analog Scales ◽  
Olfactory Disorder

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the brief version of Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (brief QOD). Methods: A total of 372 patients participated in this study. Olfactory function was examined using the Sniffin’ Sticks test. The brief version of QOD, including 4 items concerning parosmia (QOD-P), 7 items concerning quality of life (QOD-QOL), and 3 visual analog scales to rate disease burden, awareness of the disorder and issues related to professional life (QOD-VAS), was used to assess subjective information on olfactory dysfunction. We evaluated the split-half reliability, internal consistency and validity of the brief QOD. Results: The split-half reliability was 0.60 (QOD-P), 0.87 (QOD-QOL), and 0.66 (QOD-VAS), respectively. The Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.63 (QOD-P), 0.87 (QOD-QOL), and 0.71 (QOD-VAS), respectively. Olfactory function was found to be associated with QOD-P, QOD-QOL and QOD-VAS. Conclusions: The brief QOD is a suitable scale for the assessment of subjective severity of olfactory dysfunction for purposes such as treatment counseling, disability assessment, treatment control, and research in patients with olfactory disorder.

scholarly journals Assessment of odor hedonic perception: the Sniffin’ sticks parosmia test (SSParoT)

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David T. Liu ◽  
Antje Welge-Lüssen ◽  
Gerold Besser ◽  
Christian A. Mueller ◽  
Bertold Renner
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Olfactory Perception ◽  
Patient History ◽  
Odor Perception ◽  
Identification Test ◽  
Health And Disease

Abstract Qualitative olfactory dysfunction is characterized as distorted odor perception and can have a profound effect on quality of life of affected individuals. Parosmia and phantosmia represent the two main subgroups of qualitative impairment and are currently diagnosed based on patient history only. We have developed a test method which measures qualitative olfactory function based on the odors of the Sniffin’ Sticks Identification subtest. The newly developed test is called Sniffin’ Sticks Parosmia Test (SSParoT). SSParoT uses hedonic estimates of two oppositely valenced odors (pleasant and unpleasant) to assess hedonic range (HR) and hedonic direction (HD), which represent qualitative olfactory perception. HR is defined as the perceivable hedonic distance between two oppositely valenced odors, while HD serves as an indicator for overall hedonic perception of odors. This multicenter study enrolled a total of 162 normosmic subjects in four consecutive experiments. Cluster analysis was used to group odors from the 16-item Sniffin’ Sticks Identification test and 24-additional odors into clusters with distinct hedonic properties. Eleven odor pairs were found to be suitable for estimation of HR and HD. Analysis showed agreement between test–retest sessions for all odor pairs. SSparoT might emerge as a valuable tool to assess qualitative olfactory function in health and disease.

scholarly journals Recent advances in the pathology of prodromal non-motor symptoms olfactory deficit and depression in Parkinson’s disease: clues to early diagnosis and effective treatment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeojin Bang ◽  
Juhee Lim ◽  
Hyun Jin Choi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta ◽  
Motor Symptoms ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Non Motor Symptoms

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by movement dysfunction due to selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Non-motor symptoms of PD (e.g., sensory dysfunction, sleep disturbance, constipation, neuropsychiatric symptoms) precede motor symptoms, appear at all stages, and impact the quality of life, but they frequently go unrecognized and remain untreated. Even when identified, traditional dopamine replacement therapies have little effect. We discuss here the pathology of two PD-associated non-motor symptoms: olfactory dysfunction and depression. Olfactory dysfunction is one of the earliest non-motor symptoms in PD and predates the onset of motor symptoms. It is accompanied by early deposition of Lewy pathology and neurotransmitter alterations. Because of the correlation between olfactory dysfunction and an increased risk of progression to PD, olfactory testing can potentially be a specific diagnostic marker of PD in the prodromal stage. Depression is a prevalent PD-associated symptom and is often associated with reduced quality of life. Although the pathophysiology of depression in PD is unclear, studies suggest a causal relationship with abnormal neurotransmission and abnormal adult neurogenesis. Here, we summarize recent progress in the pathology of the non-motor symptoms of PD, aiming to provide better guidance for its effective management.

Can laryngectomees smell? Considerations regarding olfactory rehabilitation following total laryngectomy

2010 ◽  
Vol 124 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
J W Moor ◽  
A Rafferty ◽  
S Sood
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Total Laryngectomy ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Advanced Malignancy ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Life Issues ◽  
Rehabilitation Assessment

AbstractTotal laryngectomy is performed for patients with advanced malignancy of the larynx and pharynx, and disconnects the nose and mouth from the lower respiratory tract. Rehabilitation of olfactory function in these patients is often neglected, despite recognition that anosmia and hyposmia are common and can readily be addressed. This paper reviews the literature concerning olfactory loss post-laryngectomy, methods of olfactory rehabilitation, assessment of olfactory function and quality of life issues.

scholarly journals 4347 Bimodal Visual-Olfactory Training for Post-Surgical or Post-Traumatic Olfactory Dysfunction (VOLT Trial)

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. 23-24
Author(s):  
Andrew Michael Peterson ◽  
Dorina Kallogjeri ◽  
Jay Piccirillo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Quality Of Life Questionnaires ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Identification Test ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Smell Identification ◽  
Olfactory Training

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: 1) Assess the patient-reported, perceived change in olfactory function after bimodal visual-olfactory training (OT) 2) Assess change in olfactory function after bimodal visual-olfactory training with a smell identification test 3) Assess which scents are most important to people with olfactory dysfunction (OD) METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The participants are adults with subjective or clinically diagnosed OD with post-surgical or traumatic etiologies within the last 5 years. At the first of two study visits, participants complete the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) and complete general health (SF-36) and olfactory-related quality-of-life questionnaires. From a list of 34 scents, participants chose the 4 scents most important to them and smelled the scents twice daily for 3 months. Olfactory testing and the quality-of-life questionnaires were repeated at the final visit. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: 10 participants have enrolled in the study. There was one screen fail and one withdrawal. Six participants are currently undergoing OT and two have completed the study. Seven participants have post-surgical etiology and three have post-traumatic etiology of their OD. Of the two participants who have completed the study, one had an UPSIT score improvement from 25 to 33 out of the 40 questions correct. The minimally clinically important difference on the UPSIT is 4. She reports improvement subjectively. The second participant had a UPSIT score change from 25 to 24 and reports ability to smell is neither better nor worse. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Traumatic and post-surgical, particularly post-transphenoidal hypophysectomy, are common etiologies of OD and no effective treatments exist. The results from our pilot study will help better inform the best way to undergo OT, how effective it is, and the planning of future studies.

scholarly journals Postinfectious Olfactory Dysfunction: Oral Steroids and Olfactory Training versus Olfactory Training Alone: Is There any Benefit from Steroids?

ORL ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sotiria Genetzaki ◽  
Evangelia Tsakiropoulou ◽  
Vasilios Nikolaidis ◽  
Konstantinos Markou ◽  
Iordanis Konstantinidis
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Line Treatment ◽  
First Line ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Oral Steroids ◽  
Group A ◽  
Olfactory Training ◽  
First Line Treatment

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> There are limited treatment options for postinfectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD). Olfactory training has recently been used in clinical practice, but no medical treatment is widely accepted. Although there is weak evidence for their value, some physicians use oral corticosteroids as first-line treatment. The aim of this study was to compare combined oral methylprednisolone and olfactory training with olfactory training alone in the management of PIOD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This prospective cohort study included 131 patients with PIOD over a 2-year period before the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-eight patients who were treated with oral methylprednisolone and olfactory training (group A) were compared with 53 patients who were treated with olfactory training only (group B). Olfactory function was evaluated with “Sniffin’ Sticks” at baseline and 2, 8, and 16 weeks after initial assessment. Patients who improved after steroid treatment underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses, skin prick tests, lung spirometry, and sputum eosinophil assessment. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Oral steroids improved 19.23% of patients (<i>n</i> = 15) of group A. History, clinical evaluation, imaging, and laboratory tests identified an inflammatory background in half of them (<i>n</i> = 8). The remaining 7 had no findings of nasal inflammation, and all had a short history of olfactory dysfunction. Both groups significantly improved in olfactory testing results at the end of the olfactory training scheme without significant difference between them. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The percentage of improved patients after oral methylprednisolone was relatively low to suggest it as first-line treatment. Half of the improved patients had an underlying upper airway inflammatory condition not related to the infection that caused the acute loss of olfactory function.

scholarly journals Mucosal Eosinophilia and Neutrophilia Are Not Associated With QOL or Olfactory Function in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

2021 ◽  
pp. 194589242098743
Author(s):  
Nyssa F. Farrell ◽  
Jess C. Mace ◽  
David A. Sauer ◽  
Andrew J. Thomas ◽  
Mathew Geltzeiler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Rhinosinusitis ◽  
Nasal Polyposis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Sinus Surgery ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Snot 22

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is often differentiated by histopathologic phenotypes (eosinophilic versus neutrophilic), which may impact disease severity measures and outcomes. As such, it has been suggested that counts of cellular elements be included as part of a standard pathological report following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Objectives This cross-sectional study evaluated associations of mucosal eosinophilia and neutrophilia with measures of quality-of-life (QoL) and olfactory function. Methods Patients with medically refractory CRS completed the SNOT-22 survey and Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT) at enrollment. In addition, baseline Lund-Mackay computed tomography (CT) and Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores were collected. Ethmoid mucosa was biopsied during ESS and reviewed using microscopy to quantify densest infiltrate of eosinophils or neutrophils per high-powered-field (HPF). Eosinophilic CRS (eCRS) and neutrophilic CRS (nCRS), both with and without nasal polyposis (NP), were compared across SNOT-22 and BSIT scores. Results 77/168 patients demonstrated mucosal eosinophilia (eCRS) while a total of 42/168 patients demonstrated mucosal neutrophilia (nCRS). After adjusting for polyp status, 35/168 had eCRSsNP, 42/168 eCRSwNP, 75/168 non-eCRSsNP, 16/168 non-eCRSwNP. Additionally, 22/161 were noted to have nCRSsNP, 20/161 nCRSwNP, 84/161 non-nCRSwNP, and 35/161 non-nCRSsNP. A small subset of patients demonstrated both eosinophilia and neutrophilia: 14 CRSwNP and 7 CRSsNP. When evaluating average Lund-Mackay Scores (LMS), significant differences existed between non-eCRSsNP and eCRSsNP (p = 0.006). However, after controlling for nasal polyps, eosinophilia did not significantly associate with differences in the Lund-Kennedy Score. Neutrophilia did not significantly associate with any changes in LMS or LKS after controlling for NP. Eosinophilic and neutrophilic histopathologic subtypes did not significantly associate with differences in baseline SNOT-22 or BSIT measures after controlling for NP. Conclusion Neither the presence of mucosal eosinophilia nor mucosal neutrophilia demonstrated significant associations with SNOT-22 quality-of-life or BSIT olfactory function scores when controlling for comorbid nasal polyposis.

scholarly journals Testing olfactory dysfunction in acute and recovered COVID-19 patients: a single center study in Italy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo Pasquini ◽  
Carlo Maremmani ◽  
Stefano Salvadori ◽  
Vincenzo Silani ◽  
Nicola Ticozzi
Keyword(s):  
Acute Illness ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Olfactory Test ◽  
Psychophysical Testing ◽  
Positive Antibody ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
High Level ◽  
Acute Patients

Abstract Background Olfactory dysfunction in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is common during acute illness and appears to last longer than other symptoms. The aim of this study was to objectively investigate olfactory dysfunction in two cohorts of patients at two different stages: during acute illness and after a median recovery of 4 months. Methods Twenty-five acutely ill patients and 26 recovered subjects were investigated. Acute patients had a molecular diagnosis of COVID-19; recovered subjects had a positive antibody assay and a negative molecular test. A 33-item psychophysical olfactory identification test tailored for the Italian population was performed. Results Median time from symptoms onset to olfactory test was 33 days in acute patients and 122 days in recovered subjects. The former scored a significantly higher number of errors at psychophysical testing (median [IQR]: 8 [13] vs 3 [2], p < 0.001) and were more frequently hyposmic (64% vs 19%, p = 0.002). Recovered subjects reported a variable time to subjective olfactory recovery, from days up to 4 months. Participants included in the study reported no significant nasal symptoms at olfactory testing. Among recovered subject who reported olfactory loss during acute COVID-19, four (27%) were still hyposmic. Demographic and clinical characteristics did not show significant associations with olfactory dysfunction. Conclusion Moderate-to-severe hospitalized patients showed a high level and frequency of olfactory dysfunction compared to recovered subjects. In the latter group, subjects who reported persisting olfactory dysfunction showed abnormal scores on psychophysical testing, indicating that, at least in some subjects, persistent hyposmia may represent a long-term sequela of COVID-19.

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