Patients’ Perspectives on Qualitative Olfactory Dysfunction: Thematic Analysis of Social Media Posts (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.29086
• Publication Date: 2021-12-14T13:32:14Z
• Authors: Jane K Parker; Christine E Kelly; Barry C Smith; Aidan F Kirkwood; Claire Hopkins; Simon Gane
• Keywords: Thematic Analysis; Stimulus (psychology)

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> The impact of qualitative olfactory disorders is underestimated. Parosmia, the distorted perception familiar odors, and phantosmia, experience odors in absence a stimulus, can arise following postinfectious anosmia, incidences both have increased substantially since outbreak COVID-19. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> aims this study are to explore symptoms sequalae dysfunction syndrome using unstructured unsolicited threads from social media, articulate perspectives concerns patients affected by these debilitating disorders. <title>METHODS</title> A thematic analysis content posts AbScent Parosmia Phantosmia Support group on Facebook was conducted between June December 2020. <title>RESULTS</title> In paper, we identify novel symptom, perseveration, which triggered, identifiable, usually unpleasant percept that persists an ongoing stimulus. We also observe fluctuations intensity duration parosmia, perseveration. addition, most common items (coffee, meat, onion, toothpaste) trigger distortions; however, people difficulty describing distortions, words associated with disgust revulsion. emotional aspect living evident highlighted detrimental mental health. <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> Qualitative data acquired media has provided useful insights into patient parosmia inform rehabilitation strategies research understanding molecular triggers parosmic distortions benefit.