Effects of smell loss on daily life and adopted coping strategies in patients with nasal polyposis with asthma

Abstract

Conclusions: Results from prior studies of quality of life (QoL) in heterogeneous patient groups (regarding disorder type and etiology) with olfactory disorders may be useful also for understanding QoL in homogeneous patient groups. Diagnosis and treatment of smell loss should be given high priority in polyposis with asthma, and coping strategies can be suggested to these patients. Objectives: To investigate the effects of smell loss on daily life and coping strategies in patients with smell loss without dysosmia and with nasal polyposis with asthma as the only primary etiology, and to compare these results with those from a prior study of a patient group with heterogeneous olfactory disorders and etiology. Methods: Fifty patients with smell loss and with nasal polyposis and asthma responded to questions about consequences of smell loss, QoL, psychological well-being and distress, and coping strategies. Results: Negative consequences of smell loss, associated risks, and diminished food enjoyment were commonly reported, and various aspects of QoL were rated as being deteriorated. Psychological well-being was found to be poorer than normal, and use of both problem- and emotion-focused strategies was common. The results from this homogeneous patient group are very similar to those previously obtained from a heterogeneous group.

Keywords::

• Anosmia
• hyposmia
• olfaction
• quality of life

Acknowledgments

Financial support for this study was provided by GlaxoSmithKline, the Swedish Association of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, the Acta Otolaryngologica Foundation, and the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association. The authors wish to thank Vania Sandberg, Agneta Gülich, Ann-Sofie Lantz, Christa Elgerius, Marianne Eduards, Katarina Söderström, Karl-Gustav Kölbeck, Maria Skedinger, Barbro Dahlén, Gert Henriksson, Peter Graf, and Karin Toll for their help with this study. After the end of this study Dr Olsson has been employed by MSD, Sweden.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.