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13 - Assessment of Olfaction

from Section III - Assessment and Disorders of Olfaction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 August 2009

By
Richard L. Doty
Edited by
Warrick J. Brewer ,
David Castle  and
Christos Pantelis
Foreword by
Peter Doherty
Warrick J. Brewer
Affiliation:
Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Melbourne
David Castle
Affiliation:
University of Melbourne
Christos Pantelis
Affiliation:
University of Melbourne
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Summary

Introduction

Disorders of the sense of smell, which are responsible for most patients' reports of loss of taste, can profoundly influence quality of life. Among 750 patients presenting to our centre with largely olfactory problems, 68% experienced altered quality of life, 46% described changes in appetite or body weight, and 56% reported influences in daily living or psychological well-being (Deems et al., 1991). In addition to the obvious safety consequences of chemosensory dysfunction (e.g. inability to detect leaking gas, spoiled food, smoke, or such hazards as burning electrical wires or cooking food), smell disturbances often adversely affect nutrition, particularly in the elderly, and can result in depression and the generation of feelings of physical and social vulnerability, as well as of victimisation (Van Toller, 1999). The importance of normal smell function in everyday life is highlighted by the consequences of its loss in those who depend on it for their livelihood (e.g. cooks, homemakers, firefighters, plumbers, wine merchants, chemical plant workers).

Olfactory problems are not uncommon, being present in 1 to 2% of the population under the age of 65 years, and in more than 50% of people older than 65 years (Doty et al., 1984; 1986; Hoffman et al., 1998; Schiffman, 1983). As noted in Chapters 14 and 15 of this volume, decrements in olfactory function are among the first clinical signs of Alzheimer's disease and idiopathic Parkinson's disease, and are commonly present in epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia (for a review, see Doty, (2003a); see also Moberg & Turetsky, Chapter 16).

Keywords

magnitude estimation proceduresolfactory assessmentpsychophysical olfactory testsrating scalessuprathreshold measurement proceduresthreshold measurement procedures
Type
Chapter
Information
Olfaction and the Brain , pp. 235 - 258
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2006

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