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A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
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Olfactory distortions in the general population.

Jonas K Olofsson1, Fredrik Ekesten2, Steven Nordin3

  • 1Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden. jonas.olofsson@psychology.su.se.

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Parosmia, a smell distortion, affects nearly 5% of the population and can persist for years. While often linked to olfactory hallucinations, it generally doesn't impact quality of life or cognitive function.

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Area of Science:

  • Olfactory dysfunction
  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Parosmia, or distorted smell perception, frequently follows respiratory infections but its long-term effects remain poorly understood.
  • Understanding the prevalence and impact of parosmia is crucial, especially given recent reports linked to COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and persistence of parosmia in a general population.
  • To examine the relationship between parosmia and olfactory/cognitive function, and quality of life.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the population-based Betula study in Sweden (n=2168).
  • Employed regression analyses to assess associations with olfactory, cognitive, and quality of life variables.
  • Longitudinal assessment of parosmia persistence over 5 and 10 years.

Main Results:

  • Parosmia experiences were reported by 4.8% of the population and often co-occurred with phantosmia.
  • No significant association was found between parosmia and lower self-rated quality of life or impaired olfactory/cognitive performance.
  • Parosmia persisted in 17.0% at 5 years and 10.3% at 10 years.

Conclusions:

  • Parosmia is a common and potentially persistent olfactory disorder in the general population.
  • Despite persistence, parosmia appears largely benign, with no significant detriment to quality of life or cognitive function.
  • This research provides valuable insights into the natural history of parosmia beyond clinical settings and acute viral infections.