[Olfactory reference syndrome: a systematic review].

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Olfactory Reference Syndrome (ORS) is characterized by the persistent false belief of emitting offensive body odor.
• The diagnostic validity and clinical entity status of ORS remain debated within the medical community.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review literature on ORS to evaluate its clinical consistency and heuristic value.
• To assess the potential for ORS inclusion as an independent entity in diagnostic manuals like DSM-5.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted from 1966 to 2011.
• Databases searched included PsycINFO, PubMed, Medline, and ISI Web of Knowledge.
• Data from 55 case reports were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Common symptoms include social avoidance (60%), depressed mood (42%), anxiety (46%), and ideas of reference (44%).
• A triggering event was identified in 36% of cases.
• Treatments (antidepressants, antipsychotics, psychotherapy) showed 39% overall efficiency.

Conclusions:

• ORS presents as a clinically well-defined syndrome, supporting its potential inclusion in DSM-5.
• Avoidance behavior and traumatic triggers are consistent features of ORS.
• An integrative model for ORS is proposed, including clinical description and fMRI findings from a case study.