Comparison of subjective perception with objective measurement of olfaction

Philpott, Carl M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1125-3236, Wolstenholme, Charlotte R., Goodenough, Paul C., Clark, Allan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2965-8941 and Murty, George E. (2006) Comparison of subjective perception with objective measurement of olfaction. Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 134 (3). pp. 488-490. ISSN 1097-6817

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To see if nasal peak inspiratory flow rate and subjective sense of smell had any correlation with olfactory thresholds. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A cohort study of 186 normal volunteers was recruited from among staff and visitors at a university hospital. Olfactory thresholds were detected for each subject (103 with eucalyptol and 83 with phenethyl alcohol), along with nasal peak inspiratory flow (PIFR). Subjective sense of smell, along with nasal symptoms, mood, and alertness, were recorded on visual analogue scores. RESULTS: Subjective perception of smell had no correlation with olfactory thresholds detected (P = 0.4057) and the other subjective measures also had no correlation. There was a significant relationship of PIFR to thresholds in the group tested with phenethyl alcohol (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: As with the sensation of nasal patency, the self-assessment of a subject's sense of smell has poor correlation with their actual olfactory ability. SIGNIFICANCE: A patient's history cannot be relied upon when determining their olfactory ability and formal testing should be performed.

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
Depositing User: EPrints Services
Date Deposited: 25 Nov 2010 11:10
Last Modified: 19 Oct 2023 00:52
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/13440
DOI: 10.1016/j.otohns.2005.10.041

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