• Lauren E Claus, Evelyn M Leland, Katherine Y Tai, Rodney J Schlosser, Vidyulata Kamath, Andrew P Lane, and Nicholas R Rowan.
• From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (LEC, EML, KYT, APL, NRR); Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC (RJS); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (VK).
• J Am Board Fam Med. 2022 Mar 1; 35 (2): 406-419.

BackgroundOur ability to smell and taste is dictated by 3 chemosensory systems with distinct physiologic mechanisms - olfaction, gustation, and chemesthesis. Although often overlooked, dysfunction of these special senses may have broad implications on multiple facets of patients' lives -including safety, nutritional status, quality of life, mental health, and even cognitive function. As "loss of smell or taste" emerged as a common symptom of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the importance of intact chemosensory function has been thrust into the spotlight. Despite the growing recognition of chemosensory dysfunction, this already highly prevalent condition will increasingly impact a larger and more diverse population, highlighting the need for improved awareness and care of these patients.MethodsComtemporary review of chemosensory function and assessments.ConclusionsAlthough patient-reported chemosensory function measures highlight the ease of screening of chemosensory dysfunction, self-reported measures underestimate both the prevalence and degree of chemosensory dysfunction and do not adequately distinguish between olfaction, gustation, and chemesthesis. Meanwhile, psychophysical assessment tools provide opportunities for more accurate, thorough assessment of the chemosenses when appropriate. Primary care providers are uniquely situated to identify patients burdened by chemosensory dysfunction and raise patient and provider awareness about the importance of chemosensory dysfunction. Identification of chemosensory dysfunction, particularly olfactory dysfunction, may raise suspicion for many underlying medical conditions, including early detection of neurodegenerative conditions. Furthermore, identification and awareness of patients with chemosensory dysfunction may help primary care providers to identify those who may benefit from additional therapeutic and safety interventions, or consultations with specialists for more detailed evaluations and management.© Copyright 2022 by the American Board of Family Medicine.

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