1.1. Background and rationale
Loss of smell is a common but debilitating condition. It is estimated
that the prevalence of either complete loss of smell (anosmia) or
incomplete loss of smell (hyposmia) is approximately 2.7% to 24.5% in
population-based studies based on objective olfactory assessment . Loss
of smell disproportionally affects older people . Loss of smell can
affect individual safety in many settings. However, people with
olfactory dysfunction remain understudied and under-represented compared
to other conditions in ENT. The increased risk of coal gas poisoning in
individuals with smell loss was highlighted in 1957 . However, since
then, only a few studies have assessed the safety risks of loss of
smell. Studies have quantitatively demonstrated the high prevalence of
safety risks, but with limited detail on incidence for number of
hazardous events . In addition, few studies captured the qualitative
aspect and the nuances of how these risks manifest . Consequently,
limited progress has been made in mitigating these safety risks. A
survey in 2014 highlighted the safety aspects of smell impairment,
suggesting the safety issue remains a concern . With Covid-19 and an
ageing population contributing to the increased prevalence of olfactory
dysfunction it is crucial to amplify the patients’ voices and tackle the
challenges through appropriate support and protection .