title: Sense of smell disorder and health-related quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare health-related quality of life and depression between individuals with an inability to smell (anosmia) and a comparison group of individuals with a normal sense of smell.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety individuals from an anosmia organization (anosmia based on self-report) were compared to 89 individuals with a normal sense of smell. The SF-36 and Beck Depression Inventory-II-NL (BDI-II-NL) were administered, along with the Questionnaire for Olfactory Dysfunction (QOD) to assess the degree of problems in daily life related to the smell impairment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the comparison group, scores in the anosmia group differed on: the QOD-subscale Life Quality (related to tasting and smelling: p < .001) and Parosmia (Smelling odors as different: p < .001); and the SF-36 subscales of Social Functioning, Vitality, Mental Health and General Health (p's < .05). Persons with anosmia scored higher on the BDI-II-NL than persons from the comparison group (p < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Once a smell dysfunction is recognized, interventions aiming at dealing with the loss of smell as a source of information and enjoyment, as well as at improvement of emotional wellbeing, social interaction, energy, and depression should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Utrecht University.
authors.forename: Monique A M
authors.initials: MAM
authors.lastname: Smeets
authors.affiliation: John B. Pierce Laboratory.
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Veldhuizen
authors.affiliation: Utrecht University.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galle
authors.affiliation: Utrecht University.
authors.forename: Juul
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gouweloos
authors.affiliation: Utrecht University.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie J A
authors.initials: AJA
authors.lastname: de Haan
authors.affiliation: Utrecht University.
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vernooij
authors.affiliation: Utrecht University.
authors.forename: Floris
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Visscher
authors.affiliation: Utrecht University.
authors.forename: Jan H A
authors.initials: JHA
authors.lastname: Kroeze
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000370:Ageusia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012803:Sick Role