Post-traumatic brain injury olfactory dysfunction: Factors influencing quality of life

Abstract

Introduction/Background Previous studies have explored the quality of life (QoL) in people with olfactory dysfunction from various aetiologies. However, knowledge on QoL in people with post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) olfactory dysfunction is still limited. This study evaluates the impact of post-TBI olfactory dysfunction on QoL and determine factors influencing resultant QoL. Material and method A case-control study conducted in a single centre on 30 TBI adults with olfactory dysfunction; matched by age and gender with 32 TBI controls having intact olfactory function. All 64 adults self-rated their olfactory function using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Sniffin’ Sticks test was used as an objective olfactory function assessment and results measured as TDI (Threshold, Discrimination and Identification) score. QoL was determined by a self-rated questionnaire; Questionnaire for Olfactory Disorders (QOD). Influential factors evaluated include age, gender, employment, level of education, marital status, smoking habit, TBI-related clinical information and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) score. A correlation test between the VAS and natural log TDI was also conducted. Results Mean QOD score of case group was significantly higher than control group (26.31 ± 14.37 vs 9.44 ± 8.30 respectively; P Conclusion Individuals with post-TBI olfactory dysfunction are at higher risk of developing a lower QoL. One of the factors influencing this is the severity of olfactory dysfunction itself.