Olfactory function and its association with ABO blood group in adults: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The effect of blood group antigens in human olfactory performance has not been established yet. This study was designed to find out the association if any of blood groups ABO of a person with the olfactory performance by some simple standard established olfactory tests. Materials and Methods: Olfactory threshold testing and olfactory identification testing were performed using the standard “i-smell” test using the common household items such as asafoetida (heeng), camphor, cardamom, clove oil, cumin seeds, lemon, and Vicks. The results were compared to see for association with ABO blood groups. The statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0., 2013 (Armonk, NY; IBM Corp.). Results: Among the 329 individuals participated in the study who were age and sex matched, there was an equal representation of all ABO blood groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the ABO groups either with olfactory threshold testing or with olfactory identification testing. Conclusion: Blood group is not proximally associated with olfactory function of an individual. A more objective test which may include complex or invasive studies in controlled environment with bigger sample may be planned for.

Keywords

• Blood groups
• i-smell test
• olfactory testing