title: A Study on Olfactory Dysfunction in Turkish Population with using Survey Method and Validated Olfactory Testing.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of olfactory dysfunction on quality of life (QOL), and to investigate olfactory dysfunction related self-reported clinical features in Turkish population. The participants were questioned about the presence of any olfactory dysfunction. Participants with a complaint of olfactory dysfunction were asked to fill out a survey and then a validated olfactory test was performed. We asked 2,824 volunteers whether they had olfactory dysfunctions or not. A total of 199 (6.7 %) people mentioned that they had, and filled out the questions in our survey. The mean age of the surveyed population was 44 ± 15 years. The current investigation produced four major findings (1) the feeling of inadequacy due to olfactory dysfunction was more common among females than males (2) there was a significant correlation between subjective olfactory complaints and objective olfactory testing (3) problems in QOL issues are typically reported primarily in the areas of safety and nutrition (4) the possible reasons for the olfactory dysfunction according to the volunteers were upper respiratory infections including rhinosinusitis (46 %), allergic rhinitis (27 %), severe face and head trauma (6.5 %). The effect of subjective olfactory dysfunctions on QOL among the Turkish population was investigated for the first time. Problems in daily life issues are typically reported primarily in the areas of safety and nutrition.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul Surgery Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, 34365 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aytug
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Altundag
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, 34668 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tekeli
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, 34668 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salihoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Amasya University Training and Research Hospital, 05100 Amasya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Melih
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cayonu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, 34668 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa Tansel
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Kendirli
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, GATA Ankara Mevki Hospital, 06110 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Halit
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yasar
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, GATA Ankara Mevki Hospital, 06110 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozturk
keywords: Etiology; Health survey; Olfactory dysfunction; Quality of life