Bainbridge KE, et al. - In this cross-sectional study with complex sampling design, researchers determined the prevalence of phantom odor perception among US adults 40 years and older as well as identified factors related to this condition. They found that an age-related decline in the prevalence of phantom odor perception was noted in women but it was absent in men. It was noted that only 11% of people who reported phantom odor perception have discussed a taste or smell problem with a practitioner. It was noted that phantom odor perception was more common among those with poorer health, a history of head injury, or dry mouth symptoms. The study findings suggested that prevention of serious head injuries could have the added benefit of decreasing phantom odor perception.

Methods

• Sven thousand, four hundred seventeen adults 40 years and older made up a nationally representative sample from data collected in 2011 through 2014 as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
• Sociodemographic characteristics, cigarette and alcohol use, head injury, persistent dry mouth, smell function, and general health status were the main exposures.
• Main outcome and measure analyzed was phantom odor perception ascertained as report of unpleasant, bad, or burning odor when no actual odor exists.

Results

• According to the findings obtained, out of 7417 study participants, 52.8% (3862) were women, the mean (SD) age was 58 (12) years, and the prevalence of phantom odor perception occurred in 534 participants, which was 6.5% of the population (95% CI, 5.7%-7.5%).
• It was observed that phantom odor prevalence varied considerably by age and sex.
• Researchers found that women 60 years and older reported phantom odors less commonly (7.5% [n = 935] and 5.5% [n = 937] among women aged 60-69 years and 70 years and older, respectively) than younger women (9.6% [n = 1028] and 10.1% [n = 962] among those aged 40-49 years and 50-59 years, respectively).
• It was noted that the prevalence among men varied from 2.5% (n = 846) among men 70 years and older to 5.3% (n = 913) among men 60 to 69 years old.
• Findings revealed that phantom odor perception was 60% (n = 1602) to 65% (n = 2521) more likely among those with an income-to-poverty ratio of less than 3 vs those in the highest income-to-poverty ratio group (odds ratio [OR], 1.65; 95% CI, 1.06-2.56; and OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.01-2.54 for income-to-poverty ratio <1.5 and 1.5-2.9, respectively).
• Data reported that health conditions related to phantom odor perception included persistent dry mouth (OR, 3.03; 95% CI, 2.17-4.24) and history of head injury (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.20-2.51).