The Epidemiology of Olfactory Disorders
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Ziqiang Street, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130041, China.
Current Otorhinolaryngology Reports
|January 8, 2019
Summary
Olfactory decline, or smell loss, is common and affects men more than women. Further research is needed to understand the causes of smell impairment and its public health impact.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited understanding of the origins of olfactory decline.
- Olfactory impairment has significant implications for human health.
- Epidemiologic studies are crucial for understanding smell disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- Characterize current knowledge on olfactory disorders from human studies.
- Describe methods for measuring smell in population studies.
- Identify risk factors for olfactory dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Review of major population studies on olfaction.
- Analysis of epidemiological data on smell disorders.
- Synthesis of identified risk factors.
Main Results:
- Olfactory dysfunction prevalence increases with age.
- Men exhibit a higher prevalence of smell disorders compared to women.
- Aging and sex are identified as key factors in olfactory decline.
Conclusions:
- Further research into the etiologies of olfactory impairment is warranted.
- Understanding smell disorders has a significant public health impact.
- Continued investigation into olfactory decline is essential.
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