Evaluation of olfactory function in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis and its correlation with acoustic...

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Allergy and Immunology
• Pediatric Health

Background:

• Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is a prevalent condition in children.
• Hyposmia (reduced sense of smell) is a significant symptom of SAR, affecting children's quality of life.
• Olfactory dysfunction assessment is crucial for understanding the full impact of SAR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate olfactory dysfunction in pediatric patients diagnosed with SAR.
• To correlate olfactory test results with acoustic rhinometry measurements in children with SAR.
• To investigate the relationship between symptom severity and olfactory function during allergy seasons.

Main Methods:

• Forty children with moderate to severe SAR were enrolled.
• Tests included endoscopic nasal examination, acoustic rhinometry, Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), and Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) tests.
• Assessments were conducted both during and outside the pollen season.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in hyposmia and decrease in odor identification were observed in SAR patients (p < 0.005, p = 0.003).
• No significant differences were found in odor thresholds or discrimination values (p > 0.05).
• CCCRC scores correlated with nasal obstruction, subjective hyposmia, and TNSS, but acoustic rhinometry parameters did not correlate with CCCRS values.

Conclusions:

• Approximately half of children with SAR experience mild to moderate hyposmia during pollen season.
• Odor identification, assessable via CCCRC testing, is notably reduced in pediatric SAR.
• Olfactory dysfunction is a key, measurable component of SAR in children.