Topical platelet-rich plasma as a possible treatment for olfactory dysfunction-A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) affects many survivors of COVID-19. Prior studies have investigated the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for OD. We describe the first randomized controlled trial investigating topical PRP for OD treatment and contribute to existing literature illustrating PRP as an emerging therapeutic.

Methods: This is a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial conducted from July 2022 to December 2023. Adult patients with OD ≥6 months secondary to COVID-19 with Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT) scores of ≤8/12 or SCENTinel odor intensity of ≤40/100 were included. Patients were randomized to three, monthly PRP or placebo-impregnated Surgifoam treatments into bilateral olfactory clefts. The BSIT, SCENTinel, and Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders-Negative Statements (QOD-NS) were completed monthly through month 12.

Results: Of 104 patients screened, 83 participated. No significant differences in age, OD duration, BSIT, SCENTinel, or QOD-NS scores were found between PRP (n = 42) and placebo (n = 41) patients at baseline. PRP patients experienced a statistically significant increase in BSIT scores from baseline at months 5‒9, 11, and 12, while placebo patients did not (p < 0.05). However, total BSIT scores were similar between the two groups throughout the study. Neither the SCENTinel odor intensity scores nor the change from baseline were significantly different between the treatment groups. At month 12, PRP patients experienced minor improvement in OD-related quality-of-life compared with placebo.

Conclusions: This study is the first to describe topical PRP as a safe, experimental treatment for OD in humans. PRP may impact odor identification in post-COVID-19 OD patients, although the lack of difference in total BSIT scores highlights the need for further study.

Keywords: olfaction; olfactory disorders; quality of life; therapeutics.