Olfactory function in oncologic hospice patients.

Abstract

Normal sense of smell is important for well being. Although cancer is reported to be associated with impaired olfactory function, very few studies have directly evaluated this effect. We performed a quantitative analysis of olfactory status in 42 hospice patients in a hospital-based hospice facility. Olfaction was assessed using the "Sniffin' Sticks" (Burghart Medical Technology, Tinsdaler, Germany) kit. Twenty-five patients (60%) were found to be hyposmic. Study results indicate the high incidence of decreased olfactory function among hospice patients.