Subscribe to RSS
Download PDF
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1742761
Postinfectious Olfactory Complaints: A Follow-up Study
Abstract
Introduction Acute upper respiratory infection (AURI) is the most common cause of postinfectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD).
Objective We investigated the prevalence of PIOD in a large group of patients reporting persistent smell impairment perception after the AURI resolution.
Methods Olfactometry was performed within 1 month after the common cold resolution and after 1 year in 467 (299 males, mean age 41.7 years) outpatients. The Sniffin' Sticks olfactory test (Burghart instruments, Wedel, Germany) was used.
Results Anosmia was documented in 28 (6%) patients, hyposmia in 33 (7%), and cacosmia in 55 (11.7%). After 1 year, PIOD improved in 82 (79.6%) patients re-tested.
Conclusion The current study demonstrated that persistent olfactory dysfunction is a relevant symptom in patients with AURI, even though many patients had normal olfactometry. Thus, smell impairment deserves careful attention and requires objective documentation.
Publication History
Received: 05 May 2021
Accepted: 14 December 2021
Article published online:
02 March 2022
© 2022. Fundação Otorrinolaringologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda.
Rua do Matoso 170, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 20270-135, Brazil
-
References
- 1 Heikkinen T, Järvinen A. The common cold. Lancet 2003; 361 (9351): 51-59
- 2 Apter AJ, Gent JF, Frank ME. Fluctuating olfactory sensitivity and distorted odor perception in allergic rhinitis. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999; 125 (09) 1005-1010
- 3 Seiden AM, Duncan HJ. The diagnosis of a conductive olfactory loss. Laryngoscope 2001; 111 (01) 9-14
- 4 Weber ST, Heuberger E. The impact of natural odors on affective states in humans. Chem Senses 2008; 33 (05) 441-447
- 5 de Haro-Licer J, Roura-Moreno J, Vizitiu A, González-Fernández A, González-Ares JA. Long term serious olfactory loss in colds and/or flu. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp 2013; 64 (05) 331-338
- 6 Pellegrino R, Walliczek-Dworschak U, Winter G, Hull D, Hummel T. Investigation of chemosensitivity during and after an acute cold. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2017; 7 (02) 185-191
- 7 Akerlund A, Bende M, Murphy C. Olfactory threshold and nasal mucosal changes in experimentally induced common cold. Acta Otolaryngol 1995; 115 (01) 88-92
- 8 Reden J, Mueller A, Mueller C. et al. Recovery of olfactory function following closed head injury or infections of the upper respiratory tract. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2006; 132 (03) 265-269
- 9 London B, Nabet B, Fisher AR, White B, Sammel MD, Doty RL. Predictors of prognosis in patients with olfactory disturbance. Ann Neurol 2008; 63 (02) 159-166
- 10 Hummel T, Lötsch J. Prognostic factors of olfactory dysfunction. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2010; 136 (04) 347-351
- 11
Hummel T,
Kobal G,
Gudziol H,
Mackay-Sim A.
Normative data for the “Sniffin' Sticks” including tests of odor identification, odor
discrimination, and olfactory thresholds: an upgrade based on a group of more than
3,000 subjects. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2007; 264 (03) 237-243
MissingFormLabel
- 12 Lee JC, Nallani R, Cass L, Bhalla V, Chiu AG, Villwock JA. A systematic review of the neuropathologic findings of post-viral olfactory dysfunction: implications and novel insight for the COVID-19 pandemic. Am J Rhinol Allergy 2021; 35 (03) 323-333
- 13 Miwa T, Ikeda K, Ishibashi T. et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of olfactory dysfunction - Secondary publication. Auris Nasus Larynx 2019; 46 (05) 653-662
- 14 Landis BN, Hummel T. Measuring olfaction instead of asking: it is more than luxury!. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 277 (06) 1843-1844
- 15 Landis BN, Hummel T, Hugentobler M, Giger R, Lacroix JS. Ratings of overall olfactory function. Chem Senses 2003; 28 (08) 691-694
- 16 Bonfils P, Avan P, Faulcon P, Malinvaud D. Distorted odorant perception: analysis of a series of 56 patients with parosmia. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2005; 131 (02) 107-112
- 17 Reden J, Maroldt H, Fritz A, Zahnert T, Hummel T. A study on the prognostic significance of qualitative olfactory dysfunction. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2007; 264 (02) 139-144
- 18 Hummel T, Whitcroft KL, Andrews P. et al. Position paper on olfactory dysfunction. Rhinology 2016; 56 (01) 1-30