Patients' Perspectives on Qualitative Olfactory Dysfunction: Thematic Analysis of Social Media Posts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The impact of qualitative olfactory disorders is underestimated. Parosmia, the distorted perception of familiar odors, and phantosmia, the experience of odors in the absence of a stimulus, can arise following postinfectious anosmia, and the incidences of both have increased substantially since the outbreak of COVID-19.

Objective

The aims of this study are to explore the symptoms and sequalae of postinfectious olfactory dysfunction syndrome using unstructured and unsolicited threads from social media, and to articulate the perspectives and concerns of patients affected by these debilitating olfactory disorders.

Methods

A thematic analysis and content analysis of posts in the AbScent Parosmia and Phantosmia Support group on Facebook was conducted between June

SUBMITTER: Parker JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8673716 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature