Studies on the Sense of Smell and Taste in Diabetics

Qualitative and quantitative studies on the sense of taste and smell in diabetic patients did not reveal any changes in the sense of taste. The sense of smell was studied in 58 patients, and the results were compared with a normal series. Thirty-five (60%) showed a definitely impaired sense of smell, including 24 with severe impairment. Seven had anosmia. There was no correlation between the hyposmia and the patients' ages or between the hyposmia and the duration or severity of the diabetes. At present, the cause of the impaired sense of smell is unknown.