Prevalence and associated factors of self-reported olfactory dysfunction in Japan: Findings from a nationwide web-based cross-sectional survey

IF 1.8 4区医学 Q2 OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY

Auris Nasus Larynx Pub Date : 2026-02-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-16 DOI:10.1016/j.anl.2025.12.008

Jun Suzuki , Yuta Kobayashi , Yoshihisa Fujino , Takahiro Tabuchi , Yukio Katori

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

Olfactory dysfunction (OD) compromises safety and well-being in humans; however, large-scale Japanese data are lacking. We quantified the prevalence of subjective chronic OD (self-reported olfactory impairment persisting ≥3 months), identified associated health and occupational factors, and evaluated determinants for severity using data from a nationwide web-based survey in Japan.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Japan coronavirus disease 2019 and Society Internet Survey 2023, a stratified, nationwide, cross-sectional survey of community-dwelling residents in Japan. From the initial 33,000 participants, we used the data of 25,569 participants (12,323 men, 13,246 women), after excluding those with implausible responses and missing data, to calculate prevalence. Inverse probability weighting was used to align the sample with the 2019 National Living Conditions Survey. Group differences concerning the presence and severity of OD were tested with χ² or Wilcoxon tests after excluding participants with additional missing data; independent associations were examined using weighted multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

The weighted prevalence for chronic subjective OD was 1.3 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.1–1.4); age-specific rates ranged from 0.6 % (40–49 years) to 2.1 % (60–69 years). Independent OD correlates included the factors current smoking (odds ratio [OR] 2.09, p = 0.016), homeworking (OR 2.75, p = 0.004), somatic symptoms (Somatic Symptom Scale-8 score ≥ 12; OR 2.66, p = 0.009), dysgeusia (OR 193.2, p < 0.001), current hypertension (OR 3.69, p = 0.005), current bronchial asthma (OR 6.09, p < 0.001), current allergic rhinitis (OR 1.97, p = 0.012), and moderate-severe presenteeism (Work Functioning Impairment Scale score ≥ 21; OR 3.04, p < 0.020). Being a woman was associated with lower OD severity (OR 0.34, p = 0.035, for moderate-severe vs mild), whereas having ≥ 1 day of sick absences in the previous month was associated with higher OD severity (OR 3.17, p = 0.044).

Conclusion

Subjective OD prevalence in Japan was 1.3 %. Presenteeism was associated with OD and absenteeism was associated with moderate-severe OD. Further studies on the relationship between OD and work productivity are warranted.

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日本自我报告嗅觉功能障碍的患病率及相关因素：一项全国性的基于网络的横断面调查结果。

目的：嗅觉功能障碍（OD）危及人类的安全和福祉；然而，日本缺乏大规模的数据。我们量化了主观慢性吸毒过量（自我报告的嗅觉障碍持续≥3个月）的患病率，确定了相关的健康和职业因素，并利用日本全国网络调查的数据评估了严重程度的决定因素。方法：我们分析了2019年日本冠状病毒病和2023年社会互联网调查的数据，这是一项针对日本社区居民的分层、全国性、横断面调查。从最初的33,000名参与者中，我们使用了25,569名参与者（12,323名男性，13,246名女性）的数据，在排除了那些不可信的回答和缺失数据后，计算患病率。使用逆概率加权使样本与2019年全国生活条件调查保持一致。在排除额外缺失数据的参与者后，用χ 2或Wilcoxon检验检验OD存在和严重程度的组间差异；使用加权多变量逻辑回归分析检验独立关联。结果：慢性主观性吸毒过量的加权患病率为1.3%(95%可信区间[CI] 1.1-1.4)；特定年龄的发病率从0.6%（40-49岁）到2.1%（60-69岁）不等。独立的OD相关因素包括当前吸烟（比值比[OR] 2.09, p = 0.016）、在家工作（OR 2.75, p = 0.004）、躯体症状（躯体症状量表-8评分≥12；OR 2.66, p = 0.009）、语言障碍（OR 193.2, p < 0.001）、当前高血压（OR 3.69, p = 0.005）、当前支气管哮喘（OR 6.09, p < 0.001）、当前过敏性鼻炎（OR 1.97, p = 0.012）和中重度出勤（工作功能障碍量表评分≥21；OR 3.04, p < 0.020）。女性与较低的用药过量严重程度相关（OR 0.34, p = 0.035，中重度vs轻度），而上个月病假天数≥1天与较高的用药过量严重程度相关（OR 3.17, p = 0.044）。结论：日本的主观OD患病率为1.3%。出勤与吸毒过量有关，旷工与中重度吸毒过量有关。有必要进一步研究OD与工作效率之间的关系。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Auris Nasus Larynx 医学-耳鼻喉科学

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

5.90%

发文量

169

审稿时长

30 days

期刊介绍： The international journal Auris Nasus Larynx provides the opportunity for rapid, carefully reviewed publications concerning the fundamental and clinical aspects of otorhinolaryngology and related fields. This includes otology, neurotology, bronchoesophagology, laryngology, rhinology, allergology, head and neck medicine and oncologic surgery, maxillofacial and plastic surgery, audiology, speech science. Original papers, short communications and original case reports can be submitted. Reviews on recent developments are invited regularly and Letters to the Editor commenting on papers or any aspect of Auris Nasus Larynx are welcomed. Founded in 1973 and previously published by the Society for Promotion of International Otorhinolaryngology, the journal is now the official English-language journal of the Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan, Inc. The aim of its new international Editorial Board is to make Auris Nasus Larynx an international forum for high quality research and clinical sciences.