Sense of smell disorder and health-related quality of life.
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.
Smeets
Monique A M
MAM
Utrecht University.
Veldhuizen
Maria G
MG
John B. Pierce Laboratory.
Galle
Sara
S
Utrecht University.
Gouweloos
Juul
J
Utrecht University.
de Haan
Anne-Marie J A
AJA
Utrecht University.
Vernooij
Jesse
J
Utrecht University.
Visscher
Floris
F
Utrecht University.
Kroeze
Jan H A
JHA
Utrecht University.
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