Wearing N95 masks decreases the odor discrimination ability of healthcare workers: a self-controlled before-after study.
Odor discrimination
Olfactory test
Healthcare worker
N95 mask
Journal
PeerJ
ISSN: 2167-8359
Titre abrégé: PeerJ
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101603425
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2023
2023
Historique:
received:
24
10
2022
accepted:
09
02
2023
entrez:
20
3
2023
pubmed:
21
3
2023
medline:
22
3
2023
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the N95 mask is an essential piece of protective equipment for healthcare workers. However, the N95 mask may inhibit air exchange and odor penetration. Our study aimed to determine whether the use of N95 masks affects the odor discrimination ability of healthcare workers. In our study, all the participants were asked to complete three olfactory tests. Each test involved 12 different odors. The participants completed the test while wearing an N95 mask, a surgical mask, and no mask. The score for each olfactory test was documented. The olfactory test score was significantly lower when the participants wore N95 masks than when they did not wear a mask (7 Wearing N95 masks decreases the odor discrimination ability of healthcare workers. Therefore, we suggest that healthcare workers seek other clues when diagnosing disease with a characteristic odor.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36935919
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14979
pii: 14979
pmc: PMC10022507
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
e14979Informations de copyright
©2023 Luo et al.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare there are no competing interests.
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