scholarly journals Psychophysical olfactory testing in COVID‐19: is smell function really impaired in nearly all patients?

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 951-952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franklin Mariño‐Sánchez ◽  
Alfonso Santamaría‐Gadea ◽  
Gonzalo Santos ◽  
Isam Alobid ◽  
Joaquim Mullol
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Smell Function

scholarly journals Severity of Anosmia as an Early Symptom of COVID-19 Infection May Predict Lasting Loss of Smell

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerome R. Lechien ◽  
Fabrice Journe ◽  
Stephane Hans ◽  
Carlos M. Chiesa-Estomba ◽  
Vincent Mustin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complete Recovery ◽  
Objective Evaluation ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Smell Function ◽  
The University

Introduction: To evaluate the recovery rate of loss of smell (LOS) with objective olfactory testing in COVID-19 patients.Methods: Adults with confirmed COVID-19 and self-reported sudden LOS were prospectively recruited through a public call from the University of Mons (Belgium). Epidemiological and clinical data were collected using online patient-reported outcome questionnaires. Patients benefited from objective olfactory evaluation (Sniffin-Sticks-test) and were invited to attend for repeated evaluation until scores returned to normal levels.Results: From March 22 to May 22, 2020, 88 patients with sudden-onset LOS completed the evaluations. LOS developed after general symptoms in 44.6% of cases. Regarding objective evaluation, 22 patients (25.0%) recovered olfaction within 14 days following the onset of LOS. The smell function recovered between the 16th and the 70th day post-LOS in 48 patients (54.5%). At the time of final assessment at 2 months, 20.5% of patients (N = 18) had not achieved normal levels of olfactory function. Higher baseline severity of olfactory loss measured using Sniffin-Sticks was strongly predictive of persistent loss (p < 0.001).Conclusion: In the first 2 months, 79.5% of patients may expect to have complete recovery of their olfactory function. The severity of olfactory loss, as detected at the first Sniffin-Sticks-test, may predict the lack of mid-term recovery.

scholarly journals Reply to: Psychophysical olfactory testing in COVID‐19: is smell function really impaired in nearly all patients?

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 953-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shima T. Moein ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Reza Hashemian ◽  
Babak Mansourafshar ◽  
Ali Khorram‐Tousi ◽  
Payam Tabarsi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Smell Function

scholarly journals Postinfectious Olfactory Dysfunction: Oral Steroids and Olfactory Training versus Olfactory Training Alone: Is There any Benefit from Steroids?

ORL ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sotiria Genetzaki ◽  
Evangelia Tsakiropoulou ◽  
Vasilios Nikolaidis ◽  
Konstantinos Markou ◽  
Iordanis Konstantinidis
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Line Treatment ◽  
First Line ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Oral Steroids ◽  
Group A ◽  
Olfactory Training ◽  
First Line Treatment

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> There are limited treatment options for postinfectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD). Olfactory training has recently been used in clinical practice, but no medical treatment is widely accepted. Although there is weak evidence for their value, some physicians use oral corticosteroids as first-line treatment. The aim of this study was to compare combined oral methylprednisolone and olfactory training with olfactory training alone in the management of PIOD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This prospective cohort study included 131 patients with PIOD over a 2-year period before the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-eight patients who were treated with oral methylprednisolone and olfactory training (group A) were compared with 53 patients who were treated with olfactory training only (group B). Olfactory function was evaluated with “Sniffin’ Sticks” at baseline and 2, 8, and 16 weeks after initial assessment. Patients who improved after steroid treatment underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses, skin prick tests, lung spirometry, and sputum eosinophil assessment. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Oral steroids improved 19.23% of patients (<i>n</i> = 15) of group A. History, clinical evaluation, imaging, and laboratory tests identified an inflammatory background in half of them (<i>n</i> = 8). The remaining 7 had no findings of nasal inflammation, and all had a short history of olfactory dysfunction. Both groups significantly improved in olfactory testing results at the end of the olfactory training scheme without significant difference between them. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The percentage of improved patients after oral methylprednisolone was relatively low to suggest it as first-line treatment. Half of the improved patients had an underlying upper airway inflammatory condition not related to the infection that caused the acute loss of olfactory function.

scholarly journals Association of Olfactory and Pulmonary Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1535
Author(s):  
Ji-Sun Kim ◽  
Jun-Ook Park ◽  
Dong-Hyun Lee ◽  
Ki-Hong Chang ◽  
Byung Guk Kim
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
National Health ◽  
Pulmonary Function Tests ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Nutrition Examination Survey ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Olfactory Testing

Objectives: To identify the relationship between pulmonary function and subjective olfactory dysfunction in middle-aged and older adults. Materials and Methods: We used Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2010 to 2012 to analyze 6191 participants in their 50s or older. Results: The frequency of olfactory dysfunction was 6.8% among the subjects with normal pulmonary function tests, but was significantly more frequent in those diagnosed with restrictive (9.6%) or obstructive (10.1%) pulmonary function. Forced volume vital capacity, forced expiratory volume (FEV)1, FEV6, and peak expiratory flow were significantly lower in the olfactory dysfunction group. The risk of olfactory dysfunction was significantly associated with obstructive pulmonary function (odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.449 [1.010–2.081]) after adjusting for confounders (sex, rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, hypertension, dyslipidemia, education level, stress, depressed mood, and suicidal ideation). Conclusion: Middle-aged and older adults with obstructive pulmonary function had a higher incidence of subjective olfactory dysfunction than the normal pulmonary function group. Early olfactory testing may improve the quality of life of patients with obstructive pulmonary function.

scholarly journals Testing olfactory dysfunction in acute and recovered COVID-19 patients: a single center study in Italy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo Pasquini ◽  
Carlo Maremmani ◽  
Stefano Salvadori ◽  
Vincenzo Silani ◽  
Nicola Ticozzi
Keyword(s):  
Acute Illness ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Olfactory Test ◽  
Psychophysical Testing ◽  
Positive Antibody ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
High Level ◽  
Acute Patients

Abstract Background Olfactory dysfunction in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is common during acute illness and appears to last longer than other symptoms. The aim of this study was to objectively investigate olfactory dysfunction in two cohorts of patients at two different stages: during acute illness and after a median recovery of 4 months. Methods Twenty-five acutely ill patients and 26 recovered subjects were investigated. Acute patients had a molecular diagnosis of COVID-19; recovered subjects had a positive antibody assay and a negative molecular test. A 33-item psychophysical olfactory identification test tailored for the Italian population was performed. Results Median time from symptoms onset to olfactory test was 33 days in acute patients and 122 days in recovered subjects. The former scored a significantly higher number of errors at psychophysical testing (median [IQR]: 8 [13] vs 3 [2], p < 0.001) and were more frequently hyposmic (64% vs 19%, p = 0.002). Recovered subjects reported a variable time to subjective olfactory recovery, from days up to 4 months. Participants included in the study reported no significant nasal symptoms at olfactory testing. Among recovered subject who reported olfactory loss during acute COVID-19, four (27%) were still hyposmic. Demographic and clinical characteristics did not show significant associations with olfactory dysfunction. Conclusion Moderate-to-severe hospitalized patients showed a high level and frequency of olfactory dysfunction compared to recovered subjects. In the latter group, subjects who reported persisting olfactory dysfunction showed abnormal scores on psychophysical testing, indicating that, at least in some subjects, persistent hyposmia may represent a long-term sequela of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Exposure to odours improves olfactory function in healthy children

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-226
Author(s):  
E. Mori ◽  
W. Petters ◽  
V.A. Schriever ◽  
C. Valder ◽  
T. Hummel
Keyword(s):  
Training Group ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Olfactory Sensitivity ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Test Kit ◽  
Olfactory Training

Background: Short-term exposure to odours, also called "olfactory training" has been shown to improve olfactory function in healthy people but also in people with olfactory loss. Aim of this single center, prospective, controlled study was to investigate the change of olfactory function following twice-daily, short-term exposure to 4 odours over a period of approximately 12 weeks. Material and methods: We compared odour identification abilities and odour thresholds between an olfactory training group (TR group) and a group that did not perform such training (noTR group). Participants exposed themselves twice daily to 4 odours ("rose", "eucalyptus", "lemon", "clove"). Olfactory testing was performed before and after the training period using the "Sniffin' Sticks" test kit (odour identification plus odour thresholds). Results: At baseline the two groups were not significantly different in terms of age and measures of olfactory sensitivity. The TR group performed significantly better for odour thresholds for all 4 odours compared to the noTR group after 12 weeks of olfactory training. Also, with regard to odour identification the TR group outperformed the noTR group. No significant differences were found for diary-based intensity ratings. Conclusion: Repeated exposure to odours seems to improve general olfactory sensitivity in children.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and anosmia: The story so far

2021 ◽  
pp. 014556132110489
Author(s):  
Xiangming Meng ◽  
Yuandan Pan
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Olfactory Epithelium ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Predictive Tool ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Smoking Behaviors ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Underlying Diseases

Objectives The pandemic has affected over 182 million coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases worldwide. Accumulated evidence indicates that anosmia is one of the significant characteristics of COVID-19 with a high prevalence. However, many aspects of COVID-19-induced anosmia are still far from being fully understood. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent developments in COVID-19-induced anosmia to increase awareness of the condition. Methods A literature search was carried out using the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. We reviewed the latest literature on COVID-19-induced anosmia, including mechanisms of pathogenesis, olfactory testing, anosmia as predictive tool, pathological examinations, imaging findings, affected factors, co-existing diseases, treatments, prognosis, hypothesis theories, and future directions. Results The possible pathogenesis of COVID-19-induced anosmia may involve inflammation of the olfactory clefts and damage to the olfactory epithelium or olfactory central nervous system by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The D614G spike variant may also play a role in the increased number of anosmia patients. Anosmia may also be an essential indicator of COVID-19 spread and an early indicator of the effectiveness of political decisions. The occurrence and development of COVID-19-induced anosmia may be influenced by smoking behaviors and underlying diseases such as type 2 diabetes, gastroesophageal disorders, and rhinitis. Most patients with COVID-19-induced anosmia can fully or partially recover their olfactory function for varying durations. COVID-19-induced anosmia can be treated with various approaches such as glucocorticoids and olfactory training. Conclusion Anosmia is one of the main features of COVID-19 and the underlying disease of the patient may also influence its occurrence and development. The possible pathogenesis of COVID-19-induced anosmia is very complicated, which may involve inflammation of the olfactory clefts and damage to the olfactory epithelium or olfactory central nervous system.

scholarly journals Intranasal sodium citrate solution improves olfaction in post-viral hyposmia

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 368-374
Author(s):  
K.L. Whitcroft ◽  
C. Merkonidis ◽  
M. Cuevas ◽  
A. Haehner ◽  
C. Philpott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Citrate ◽  
Feedback Inhibition ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Placebo Control ◽  
Free Calcium ◽  
Citrate Solution ◽  
Trial Methodology ◽  
Olfactory Cleft ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Before And After

Background: Calcium plays an integral role in olfactory signal transduction, including feedback inhibition. Sodium citrate acts as a calcium sequestrant and when applied intranasally, reduces free calcium available for feedback inhibition, which should theoretically improve olfaction. We aimed to investigate the utility of intranasal sodium citrate in improving the olfactory function of hyposmic patients, by performing this prospective placebo controlled, single-blind trial. Methodology: Monorhinal olfactory testing for odour identification and threshold was performed in hyposmic patients using Sniffin Sticks, before and after treatment. Treatment consisted of one-off sodium citrate solution application to the olfactory cleft. Sodium chloride solution was applied to the contralateral olfactory cleft, which therefore acted as placebo control. Patients were blinded to the side of sodium citrate application, and side of treatment was randomized between patients. Results: 57 patients participated, aged 22-79. Causes of hyposmia included: post-viral (7); posttraumatic (10); sinonasal disease (30) and idiopathic (10). Compared with placebo, there was significant improvement in the identification scores of participants with post-viral hyposmia, following sodium citrate treatment. No significant change in olfactory function occurred for either identification or threshold in any other aetiological subgroup. Conclusions: Intranasal sodium citrate may be of benefit to patients with post-viral hyposmia.

scholarly journals Smell and taste disorders in the UK: first experiences with a specialised smell and taste outpatient clinic

2014 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 156-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Philpott
Keyword(s):  
Outpatient Clinic ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Recent Survey ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Taste Disorders ◽  
The Uk

Olfactory dysfunction is common, affecting 1–5% of those under the age of 60 1 and at least 20% of those aged more than 60 years. 2 In many UK centres, the approach to it is variable and routine olfactory testing is not performed, as noted by a recent survey of British ENT surgeons. 3 This is in contrast to Europe and the USA, where many specialist smell and taste centres already exist.

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