Rhinological manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome: a cohort-matched, prospective, cross-sectional, observational study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of abnormal rhinological findings in a Sjögren's syndrome population.

Methods: A cohort-matched, prospective, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted. Sixty-seven subjects (30 patients and 37 controls) were enrolled. Rhinological assessment including smell threshold was evaluated using a standardised, validated clinical test as part of a larger study.

Results: Smell thresholds were -4.4 and -5.4 in the Sjögren's syndrome and control groups, respectively (p = 0.001). Hyposmia (threshold values of less than -4.5) was demonstrated in the Sjögren's syndrome group (47 per cent). Smell was negatively correlated with age (p = 0.040). Nasal septal perforation was noted in 3 Sjögren's syndrome patients (10 per cent) and nasal mucosal dryness in 10 patients (33 per cent), but none of the control group were affected.

Conclusion: Hyposmia in Sjögren's syndrome was demonstrated using the Smell Threshold Test. Nasal septal perforation and nasal mucosa dryness were also noted in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. A diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome should be considered and investigated in smell deprivation and/or nasal septal perforation patients.

Keywords: Nasal Septal Perforation; Olfaction Disorders; Sjogren's Syndrome; Smell.