Impact of olfactory disorders on personal safety and wellbeing: A cross-sectional observational study

Lee, Liam, Luke, Louis, Boak, Duncan and Philpott, Carl ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1125-3236 (2024) Impact of olfactory disorders on personal safety and wellbeing: A cross-sectional observational study. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. ISSN 0937-4477

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Abstract

Objectives: Investigate safety perceptions, quantify hazardous events, and analyse their manifestations in individuals with olfactory dysfunction through an online cross-sectional survey. Methods: An online survey, available from 25th February to 28th September 2022, captured data on demographics, olfactory disorder causes, safety concerns, and experienced hazardous events. Distributed via Fifth Sense channels, it targeted individuals with self-claimed olfactory dysfunction. Results: Of 432 responses, the majority were female (79.6%), aged 41–70, with 20.6% non-UK residents from 21 countries. Leading causes of dysfunction were Covid-19 (22%), idiopathic (20.8%), and congenital (14.4%). Safety concerns were high (85.9%), with gas, smoke, and food as major worries. Over 5 years, 32.2% faced ≥ 1 food incident, 14.8% ≥ 1 gas incident, 34.5% ≥ 1 gas scare, and 18.5% ≥ 1 work incident. Preventative measures were taken by 60.2% at home. Key limitations of this study were self-reported data and sampling bias of charity members. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant impact of smell loss on personal safety and emotional well-being. There is an unmet need in mitigating safety concerns/events for individuals with olfactory dysfunction. We suggest collaborate strategies such as educating the public sector and high-risk sectors (e.g. gas companies), and introducing safety ‘scratch and sniff’ cards as a screening method. Regular assessment of an individual’s olfactory ability, similar to routine assessments for other sensory systems (sight, hearing) may allow proactive identification of at-risk people and corrective measures to take place.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Data availability: This study is based on data collected from an anonymous survey. The survey did not include any personally identifiable information, and participants did not specifically consent to their data being shared beyond the research team.
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 Centres > Lifespan Health
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	04 Mar 2024 18:29
Last Modified:	04 Mar 2024 18:29
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/94463
DOI:	10.1007/s00405-024-08529-9

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