Olfactory dysfunction in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Objectives. To measure the prevalence of and identify the clinical characteristics associated with olfactory decline in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods and Materials. There is analytical, prospective, and observational study in adult patients with a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. The olfactory test used was the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC). Results. They are 33 patients total. Within the group of patients aged 18 to 39, 9% had normosmia, 73% hyposmia, and 18% anosmia (P < 0.001). Between 40 and 64 years old, there was no patient with normosmia, 63% hyposmia, and 37% anosmia (P < 0.001). Of patients older than 65 years old, 33% showed mild hyposmia, 34% severe hyposmia, and 33% anosmia (P < 0.001). 52% were females, and 48% were males. Conclusion. Nasal polyposis, asthma, septal deviation, turbinate hypertrophy, tobacco, and allergic rhinitis are predicting factors of olfactory dysfunction. Antecedents of previous endoscopic surgeries, age, and gender would not be associated with olfactory loss.

Figure 1

Age-related olfactory alteration.

Figure 2

Female patients.

Figure 3

Male patients.

Figure 4

Clinical characteristics associated with olfactory dysfunction.