The olfactory function in patients with common variable immunodeficiency

To determine the incidence of olfactory dysfunction in common variable immunodeficiency patients. To evaluate the correlation between olfactory dysfunction and chronic rhinosinusitis in this class of patients.

Fifty patients, with a diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency and under immunoglobulin replacement therapy, were submitted to an otolaryngology physical examination and a CT scan of the craniofacial structures in order to show the presence of signs of chronic rhinosinusitis. An olfactory function evaluation was executed using the Sniffin' Sticks Test, with assessment of olfactory threshold, discrimination, identification and overall composite scores (TDI: threshold-discrimination-identification score).

An olfactory dysfunction was found in 23 (46%) common variable immunodeficiency patients, with hyposmia and anosmia respectively present in 65% and 38% of them. The mean TDI score in the study group was 27.7. Common variable immunodeficiency patients with CRS presented a more suggestive increase of the olfactory threshold, discrimination and identification compared to those without chronic rhinosinusitis.

In conclusion, patients with common variable immunodeficiency seem to suffer from olfactory disorders more than healthy people. One of the causal factors could be considered the presence of rhinosinusal pathologies.