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Published on: July 19, 2019
Olfactory dysfunction in multiple sclerosis
Arife Çimen Atalar1, Yüksel Erdal1, Betül Tekin2
1Neurology Department, Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common chronic neurological disease that causes disability. MS can have various clinical manifestations, one of which is olfactory dysfunction. In clinical practice, olfactory disturbances are usually underdiagnosed. The aim of our study is to assess olfactory function and its relationship with MS disease duration, disability and cognition.
Method:
We assessed 31 MS patients and 24 healthy controls matched in sex and age at our MS outpatient clinic of the Istanbul Education and Research Hospital Neurology Department. Each subject was interviewed to obtain demographic data. The Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfactory test and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) were applied to each participant.
Results:
The CCCRC test scores of the MS patients were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Patients with a longer disease duration and more frequent attacks had lower CCCRC scores (p < 0.05). The Expanded Disability Status Scale scores had no correlation with the CCCRC test scores. The MOCA score was positively correlated with all domains of the olfactory test scores.
Conclusion:
This study supports the presence of olfactory dysfunction in early stages of MS and the correlation of cognitive impairment with olfactory dysfunction, even in the early stages of the disease in young and less physically- disabled patients. The assessment of olfaction may be helpful as a surrogate method for tracking disease progression in patients over time.
Insights
Olfactory dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), even in early stages. Impaired sense of smell correlates with cognitive decline and disease duration in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Science
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease leading to disability.
- Olfactory dysfunction is an underdiagnosed clinical manifestation of MS.
- Understanding olfactory function's role in MS is crucial for early detection and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess olfactory function in MS patients.
- To investigate the relationship between olfactory dysfunction and MS disease duration, disability, and cognitive status.
- To explore olfaction as a potential marker for MS progression.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 31 MS patients and 24 healthy controls were recruited.
- The Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfactory test was administered.
- Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA).
Main Results:
- MS patients exhibited significantly lower CCCRC olfactory test scores compared to controls.
- Lower olfactory scores correlated with longer MS disease duration and increased attack frequency.
- No correlation was found between Expanded Disability Status Scale scores and olfactory function.
- MOCA scores positively correlated with all domains of olfactory test scores.
Conclusions:
- Olfactory dysfunction is present in early stages of MS.
- Cognitive impairment is associated with olfactory dysfunction, even in early-stage MS patients.
- Olfactory assessment may serve as a surrogate marker for monitoring MS progression over time.
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