Olfactory dysfunction -: epidemiological data and treatment strategies in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

Introduction. Olfactory dysfunction has been reported to affect more than 200,000 patients a year in the USA. The aim of this survey was to obtain comparable epidemiological data and treatment information on olfactory dysfunction in German speaking countries. Methods. Questionnaires were sent to all otorhinolaryngology departments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland; 52% of hospitals completed the survey. Results. An average of 46 patients with olfactory dysfunction were treated per hospital every month. Hyp- and anosmia were most commonly caused by inflammatory diseases of the nose/paranasal sinuses (53%), respiratory dysfunction (19%), or postviral conditions (11%). Steroids were used most frequently for pharmacological treatment (topically 82%; orally 65%). Approximately one third of the clinics used B vitamins, or zinc; 80% of the hospitals performed surgery to treat underlying diseases. Acupuncture and smell training was used by approximately 20%. Conclusion. A total of 79,000 patients per year are treated for olfactory dysfunction in German hospitals. The vast majority of these disorders (72%) is caused by sinunasal diseases. The quality control of therapeutic strategies is urgently needed.