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The prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in chronic rhinosinusitis
Preeti Kohli1, Akash N Naik1, E Emily Harruff1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A.
Olfactory dysfunction is common in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), affecting up to 78.2% of patients. Mean olfactory test scores indicate significant smell impairment in CRS populations.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Rhinology
- Olfactory Science
Background:
- Olfactory dysfunction is frequently reported in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
- Previous studies have not systematically analyzed the prevalence and severity of olfactory loss in CRS.
- This study addresses the need for a comprehensive assessment of olfactory dysfunction in CRS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically determine the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in CRS patients.
- To calculate weighted average olfactory test scores in CRS populations.
- To provide a quantitative overview of smell impairment in CRS.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.
- Searched PubMed and Scopus databases for relevant studies.
- Included studies reporting objective olfactory measures or validated olfactory test scores.
Main Results:
- Analyzed 47 articles for systematic review and 35 for pooled data analysis.
- Prevalence of olfactory dysfunction varied by test: 30.0% (Brief Smell Identification Test), 67.0% (40-item Smell Identification Test), 78.2% (total Sniffin' Sticks score).
- Calculated weighted average scores for multiple olfactory tests, indicating impaired smell function across different measures.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of chronic rhinosinusitis patients experience olfactory dysfunction.
- Mean olfactory test scores in CRS patients fall within the dysosmic range, signifying impaired smell.
- Findings highlight the substantial impact of CRS on olfactory function.
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