Disparities in seeking care for olfactory and gustatory dysfunction: A population analysis

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Public Health
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Olfactory and gustatory dysfunction (OD/GD) significantly impact quality of life, yet screening practices are limited.
• Patient self-reporting is the primary method for assessing the burden of chemosensory dysfunction (CSD).
• Understanding factors influencing patient-provider discussions about CSD is essential for improving care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors associated with a reduced likelihood of discussing CSD with a healthcare provider.
• To analyze sociodemographic, comorbidity, and objective testing data in relation to CSD symptom disclosure.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) chemosensory protocol.
• Assessed the influence of sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and objective OD/GD test results on provider discussions.
• Employed multivariate analysis to determine factors impacting the likelihood of discussing CSD.

Main Results:

• An estimated 41.4 million US adults (28.3%) experienced OD/GD in the prior 12 months.
• A significant majority (86.8%) did not discuss their CSD symptoms with a healthcare provider.
• Men (OR 0.42) and individuals with less education were significantly less likely to discuss OD/GD, while college-educated individuals were more likely (OR 8.83).

Conclusions:

• Specific populations, including men and those with lower educational attainment, face barriers in discussing OD/GD with providers.
• These underrepresented groups are often at higher risk for CSD, exacerbating health and quality-of-life consequences.
• Dedicated screening protocols and enhanced public awareness are vital for ensuring equitable management of CSD.