Hidden consequences of olfactory dysfunction: a patient report series

BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders - Tập 13 - Trang 1-20 - 2013
Andreas Keller1, Dolores Malaspina2,3
1Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, Rockefeller University, New York, USA
2Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
3Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, New York State Office of Mental Health, New York, USA

Tóm tắt

The negative consequences of olfactory dysfunction for the quality of life are not widely appreciated and the condition is therefore often ignored or trivialized. 1,000 patients with olfactory dysfunction participated in an online study by submitting accounts of their subjective experiences of how they have been affected by their condition. In addition, they were given the chance to answer 43 specific questions about the consequences of their olfactory dysfunction. Although there are less practical problems associated with impaired or distorted odor perception than with impairments in visual or auditory perception, many affected individuals report experiencing olfactory dysfunction as a debilitating condition. Smell loss-induced social isolation and smell loss-induced anhedonia can severely affect quality of life. Olfactory dysfunction is a serious condition for those affected by it and it deserves more attention from doctors who treat affected patients as well as from scientist who research treatment options.

Tài liệu tham khảo

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