Prevalence of Olfactory Dysfunction in an Underserved Community Using a Free and Easy-to-Apply Smell Test

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

8:42 AM – 8:48 AM EDT

Location: MBCC, 230

Disclosure(s):

Marcel M. Miyake, PhD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Conducting a population-based study on olfactory loss, particularly in underserved populations, faces challenges due to the lack of correlation between subjective patient responses, such as visual analog scale (VAS), and semi-subjective olfactory tests, with high costs and lengthy administration times. Our goal is to determine the prevalence of olfactory loss in an underserved population in Brazil, using the novel psychophysical Santa Casa Olfactory Test (SCOT).

Methods: Participants were enrolled in in January 2024, in Aparecida do Norte, São Paulo, during the Project "Scientific and Healthcare Expeditions" (PECA), an initiative that annually provide free medical care to underserved communities in Brazil. All participants aged 18 and above seeking preventive exams or medical consultations assessed their olfactory capacity on a visual analog scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (worst) to 10 (best). Those with scores below 8 completed an olfactory questionnaire and underwent SCOT. Additionally, some participants with VAS scores greater than or equal to 8 were selected for SCOT evaluation.

Results: Among 615 participants aged 18 and above attended at PECA, 43 reported olfactory capacity below 8 on the VAS, with a mean of 4.88 (standard deviation, 1.96). Upon SCOT evaluation, the observed mean was 7.32 (2.48). Of the 572 with no alteration in VAS, with a mean of 9.49 (0.74), 122 participants also underwent SCOT (range: 0 to 10), with a mean of 8.9 (1.41). The prevalence of olfactory dysfunction based on VAS was 6.9%, while with SCOT, it was 15%.

Conclusions: The prevalence of olfactory dysfunction, 6.9% by VAS and 15% by the SCOT olfactory test, is consistent with international studies, highlighting the absence of correlation between these measures. Therefore, there is a critical need for the development of cost-effective and easy-to-apply psychophysical olfactory tests. In this regard, SCOT, currently under validation, emerges as a promising alternative, especially for addressing the healthcare needs of underserved populations due to its free distribution.

Presenting Author(s)

Marcel M. Miyake, PhD

MD, phD
Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences
São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

Leticia Sayuri Yada

Medical Student
Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences
São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Disclosure information not submitted.
VA

Vinicius Anibal Cardoso Pinto

Medical Student
Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
RB

Renan Barros Lima

Medical Student
Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
MC

Marlos Cortez

Study Coordinator
Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Senior Author(s)

Marcel M. Miyake, PhD

MD, phD
Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences
São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.