Subjective Taste and Smell Changes in Conjunction with Anxiety and Depression Are Associated with Symptoms in Patients with Functional Constipation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Table 5
Breakdown of the detailed smell complaints from the taste and smell survey.
Healthy controls ()
FC ()
IBS ()
I have noticed a change in my sense of smell
Yes
12 (12.50)
50 (43.48)
48 (38.10)
No
84 (87.50)
65 (56.52)
78 (61.90)
Foods smell different than they used to
Yes
12 (12.50)
55 (47.83)
54 (42.86)
No
84 (87.50)
60 (52.17)
72 (57.14)
Specific drugs interfere with my sense of smell
Yes
6 (6.25)
30 (26.09)
36 (28.57)
No
90 (93.75)
85 (73.91)
90 (71.43)
I have noticed a change in odors
Stronger
12 (12.50)
25 (21.74)
18 (14.28)
Weaker
6 (6.25)
40 (34.78)
24 (19.05)
No change
78 (81.25)
50 (43.48)
84 (66.67)
Rate abnormal sense of smell
Insignificant
84 (87.50)
85 (73.91)
72 (57.14)
Mild to moderate
12 (12.50)
20 (17.39)
36 (28.57)
Severe to intolerable
0 (0.00)
10 (8.70)
18 (14.29)
Data are expressed as (%). FC: functional constipation; IBS: irritable bowel syndrome.