ICAST Programme

A Summary of the iCAST Programme

We estimate the number of people affected by SATDs in the UK to be about 22% of the population. COVID-19 is causing ongoing SATDs in roughly one million people. These symptoms include reduced/lost and changed smell, as well as phantom smells and taste changes. SATD symptoms can lead to multiple problems. These include depression, anxiety, social isolation and poor lifestyle behaviours including eating. This may cause unhealthy changes in weight. Persistent smell loss (anosmia) leaves people vulnerable. Potential hazards include failure to detect smoke, gas and rotten food. SATDs causes include chronic sinusitis, viruses and head injury. Our prior work with SATD patients found they don’t often get medical treatment and the mental or food health support they need.

Through this project, we hope to answer the question how can we provide better care for those with SATDs, via the three main project aims:

1) To study a national database to better understand who the people are, who need support for smell and taste disorders (SATDs)

2) Talk to SATD patients and health professionals about: what they feel a package of treatment and support for living well with their disorder should look like, and; what outcomes should be used in a clinical trial to test the support package.

3) To explore the different behaviours, barriers and solutions that people with SATDs experience