The impact of trait anxiety and autism traits on olfactory abilities of the general population

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by atypical sensory processing, including in olfactory domain. However, since ASD is a complex condition characterized by marked heterogeneity in severity and symptoms, variables with significant manifestation in this condition, such as trait anxiety, may have been adding confounds to results. Importantly, perceptual abnormalities found in ASD seem to extend for the general population, varying with the expression of autism traits. Objectives: To explore the role of trait anxiety and autism traits on olfactory performance in the general population. Methods: Participants were 97 adults who did not present health conditions significantly impacting olfactory function. They filled Autism Spectrum Quotient and State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety. Also, they completed the Sniffin Sticks Extended Test, to evaluate odor threshold, discrimination and identification abilities. Results: Three multiple hierarchical regression models were performed to explain the scores in olfactory abilities. Four predictors were included in each model - somatic and cognitive anxiety, social skills and attention to detail, after controlling for sex in the first step. The models explaining odor threshold and identification were not statistically significant. The model for odor discrimination explained 18.5% of variance, being sex (b=.226), somatic anxiety (b=.279) and attention to detail (b=.294) significant predictors. Conclusions: Our results add new insights about the role of somatic anxiety and attention to detail in discrimination abilities of the general population, suggesting that physiological activation may disrupt olfactory perception regarding discrimination domain specifically, while the reverse seems to occur with high attention to detail.