Citation

Phillips KA, Menard W. Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry 2011; 33(4): 398-406.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2011.04.004

PMID

21762838

PMCID

PMC3139109

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS) - preoccupation with a false belief that one emits a foul or offensive body odor - has been described around the world for more than a century. However, only a few small studies have systematically assessed ORS's clinical features.
METHOD: Twenty patients with ORS were systematically assessed using semistructured measures.
RESULTS: Subjects' mean age was 33.4±14.1; 60% were female. Preoccupation most often focused on the mouth (75%), armpits (60%) and genitals (35%). Bad breath (75%) and sweat (65%) were the most common odor descriptions. Currently, 85% of subjects had delusional ORS beliefs, 77% had referential thinking and 85% reported actually smelling the odor. Ninety-five percent of subjects reported performing one or more ORS-related repetitive behaviors (e.g., excessive showering). Forty percent had been housebound for at least 1 week because of ORS symptoms, 68% had a history of suicidal ideation, 32% had attempted suicide and 53% had been psychiatrically hospitalized. Forty-four percent of subjects had sought nonpsychiatric medical, surgical or dental treatment for the perceived odor, and one third had received such treatment, which was ineffective in all cases.
CONCLUSION: ORS appears to be characterized by high morbidity and seeking of nonpsychiatric treatment.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Adult; Aged; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Young Adult; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Syndrome; Phobic Disorders; Human Body; Odorants