Smell and Taste Impairment in a Nationwide Sample of US Adults With Chronic Rhinosinusitis Symptoms. Issue 1 (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, James H.; Choi, Janet; Jang, Sophie S.; Wrobel, Bozena B.; Ference, Elisabeth H.
• Is Part Of: OTO open. Volume 5:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: chronic rhinosinusitis -- taste -- olfaction -- hyposmia -- NHANES; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1177/2473974X20986756
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2473-974X

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of objectively confirmed olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in US adults reporting chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) symptoms in a nationally representative database. Study Design: Cross-sectional epidemiologic analysis. Setting: Data were analyzed from the smell and taste component of the 2013-2014 NHANES data set (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). Methods: Individuals reporting the presence of ≥2 cardinal CRS symptoms (nasal blockage, sinus pain, discolored mucus, and dysosmia) were identified as patients with a potential diagnosis of CRS. Associations were examined between the presence of CRS symptoms and both self-reported and objectively measured smell and taste. Results: One-third (33%) of adults who have ≥2 CRS symptoms report subjective olfactory impairment, though only 18% of these adults have quantifiable olfactory dysfunction on objective testing. Of these adults, 27% report subjective taste impairment, but just 17% have quantifiable gustatory dysfunction on objective testing. The presence of ≥2 CRS symptoms was not significantly associated with objective olfactory or gustatory dysfunction, although the individual symptoms of subjective dysosmia and discolored mucus were associated with objectively confirmed olfactory dysfunction. Conclusion: The prevalence of objective olfactory and gustatory dysfunction was higher among adults reporting the presence of ≥2 CRS symptoms, but the differences were not statistically significant. Specific sinonasal symptoms, including discolored mucus and subjective smell dysfunction, were significantly associated with objective smell impairment.