Determination of the Relationship Between Olfactory Function Threshold and Quality of Life Among Adult Filipinos with Perceived Olfactory Dysfunction

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between olfactory function threshold and quality of life (QOL) among adult Filipinos with perceived olfactory dysfunction (OD). Methods: Design: Cross - Sectional Study Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital Participants: 98 adults who had self-perceived olfactory dysfunction described as “poor” or “no sense” of smell Results: We analyzed data from 98 participants, with a mean age of 35.91 + 12.58 years old, composed of 46 men (47%) and 52 women (53%), with 82 normosmic, six hyposmic and ten anosmic as categorized by their BTT scores. Twenty-seven percent (27%) identified themselves as having poor QOL based on Fil 17 QODNS. Differences were exhibited between sexes’ BTT scores - [t(96) = -2.32; p = .022; females, M: 9.25; SD: 2.33 vs. males, M: 7.76; SD : 3.91], civil status Fil17QODNS scores [t(96)= 3.05, p < .003; married M: 11.72, SD: 13.74 vs. single, M: 4.71; SD: 8.66), and the presence of ENT symptoms BTT [t(96) = -7.15; p < .0001; symptomatic, M: 5.62; SD: 4.54, vs. asymptomatic, M: 9.78; SD: 1.14] and Fil 17 QODNS scores [t(96)= 3.94; P < .00001; symptomatic, M: 14.86; SD: 13.97] vs. asymptomatic, M: 5.217; SD: 9.60]. Significant risk factors were the presence of ENT symptoms [OR= 0.15; 95% CI: 0.02-0.97; P = .046] for poor smell threshold, and comorbidities [OR= 3.36; 95% CI: 1.04-10.85; P = .043] for poor QOL. A negative correlation was observed between Fil-QOD-NS scores and BTT scores [r = -0.477, p < .001; rs = -0.292, p = .004], signifying that the presence of olfactory dysfunction has an inverse relationship with the quality of life. Conclusion: Individuals with olfactory dysfunction in this study population had poor quality of life as determined by the translated Filipino 17-item QOD-NS which has an inverse relationship with their smell threshold as represented by the BTT results. Among the factors studied, significant differences were found between sexes, civil status and presence of ENT symptoms in the BTT and Fil 17 QODNS scores. However, only presence of comorbidities and ENT symptoms are significant risk factors for quality of life and smell threshold, respectively, in this population.