Self-perceived Taste and Flavor Perception

Self-perceived Taste and Flavor Perception: Associations With Quality of Life in Patients With Olfactory Loss: Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Ahead of Print.

ObjectiveTo evaluate associations between self-perceived chemosensory functions of smell, taste, and flavor perception with olfactory-specific quality of life (QoL) in patients with olfactory dysfunction (OD) and whether these associations would be influenced by other factors, such as duration or etiology of smell loss.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingTertiary care, academic center.MethodsOlfactory-specific QoL was measured with the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (QOD). The QOD measures the impact of OD on QoL (QOD-negative statements) and the ability of patients to cope with smell loss (QOD-positive statements). Orthonasal olfactory function, patients’ demographics, self-perceived chemosensory perception, and duration and etiology of OD were retrospectively collected in a cohort of patients with quantitative OD. Correlations and multivariable linear regression models were computed to determine possible associations with the outcome measure of QOD-negative and QOD-positive statement scores.ResultsA total of 133 patients with OD were included. Analysis revealed a positive correlation between self-perceived taste and flavor perception with QOD-negative statement scores, while self-perceived smell showed no significant correlation. Similarly, longer duration of smell loss and higher age were also correlated with higher QOD-positive statement scores. Multivariable regression models confirmed that self-perceived taste was independently associated with the QOD-negative statement score, while age and duration of OD were independently associated with the QOD-positive statement score.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the impact of diminished flavor perception during eating and drinking has a stronger impact on the QoL of patients with OD as compared with decreased orthonasal olfaction.