Anosmia-A Clinical Review

Area of Science:

• Olfactory dysfunction
• Chemosensory science
• Clinical otolaryngology

Background:

• Anosmia and hyposmia affect 3-20% of the population, increasing with age and linked to sinonasal diseases, head trauma, infections, and neurodegeneration.
• Olfactory disorders significantly impair quality of life, affecting safety (warning odors), social interactions, and well-being.
• Limited evidence-based treatments necessitate improved information dissemination on health risks and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a clinical update on anosmia and hyposmia, incorporating patient perspectives and recent scientific advances.
• To review current clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and management of olfactory dysfunction.
• To explore emerging treatments for anosmia from fundamental science research.

Main Methods:

• Review of presentations from the 2016 Association for Chemoreception Sciences annual meeting.
• Inclusion of patient advocacy group insights (Fifth Sense).
• Synthesis of otolaryngological clinical practices and fundamental research findings in animal, cellular, and genetic models.

Main Results:

• The review consolidates information on the patient experience of olfactory loss.
• Current clinical approaches to diagnosis and management are presented.
• Recent research into potential novel treatments for anosmia is discussed.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for enhanced dissemination of information regarding the health risks associated with anosmia.
• Development of feasible screening measures and improved clinical evaluation protocols are essential.
• Patient counseling is vital for managing health and quality of life impacts of olfactory dysfunction.