Olfactory clearance - what time is needed in clinical practice?

Philpott, C. M., Wolstenholme, C. R., Goodenough, P. C., Clark, A. and Murty, G. E. (2008) Olfactory clearance - what time is needed in clinical practice? Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 122 (9). pp. 912-917. ISSN 1748-5460

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Abstract

Objective: To determine olfactory adaptation and clearance times for healthy individuals, and to assess the effect of common variables upon these parameters. Study design and setting: Fourteen healthy volunteers were recruited for a series of tests. Their initial olfactory threshold levels for phenethyl alcohol were determined. After olfactory exposure to a saturated solution of phenethyl alcohol (i.e. olfactory adaptation), the time taken for subjects to return to their initial olfactory threshold was then recorded (i.e. olfactory clearance). Visual analogue scale scores for subjective variables were also recorded. Results: The 14 subjects performed 120 tests in total. Despite consistent linear trends within individuals, olfactory clearance times varied widely within and between individuals. The mean olfactory clearance time for phenethyl alcohol was 170 seconds (range 81–750). Univariate analysis showed a relationship between olfactory clearance times and age (p = 0.031), symptoms (p = 0.029) and mood (p = 0.048). Conclusions: When testing a person's sense of smell in a clinical setting, recent exposure to similar smells should be noted, and a period of 15 minutes needs to be allowed before retesting if using phenethyl alcohol. Other variables need not be controlled, but greater clearance time may be needed for older patients.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Respiratory and Airways Group Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Public Health and Health Services Research (former - to 2023) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Clinical Trials Unit Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Services and Primary Care Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Epidemiology and Public Health Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Statistics
Depositing User:	EPrints Services
Date Deposited:	25 Nov 2010 11:10
Last Modified:	28 Mar 2025 03:39
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/13438
DOI:	10.1017/S0022215107000977

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