Position paper on olfactory dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Olfactory dysfunction research
• Translational science in chemosensation

Background:

• Olfactory dysfunction impacts quality of life and is linked to neurodegeneration.
• Research is hindered by inconsistent methodologies in defining and assessing smell loss.
• Effective treatments for smell loss remain limited due to research heterogeneity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose recommendations for standardized research in olfactory dysfunction.
• To encourage a common language and methodology in the field.
• To improve the quality, consistency, and generalizability of olfactory research.

Main Methods:

• Recommend comprehensive head and neck examination, including nasal endoscopy.
• Advocate for validated psychophysical tests (odour threshold, identification, discrimination) over subjective assessment alone.
• Suggest integrating gustatory screening and considering smell training for olfactory loss.

Main Results:

• Standardized assessment protocols are proposed to address research heterogeneity.
• Specific recommendations aim to improve the reliability and validity of olfactory testing.
• The study provides a framework for high-quality, comparable research in smell disorders.

Conclusions:

• Adoption of a common language and methodology will enhance research quality.
• Standardized approaches are essential for advancing the understanding and treatment of olfactory dysfunction.
• The proposed recommendations aim to foster consistency and generalizability in the field.