Does the radioactive iodine dose affect smell, taste sensation and nose function?

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Endocrinology
• Oncology

Background:

• Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is often treated with radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy post-surgery.
• RAI therapy can lead to sensory dysfunctions, including smell, taste, and nasal issues.
• The relationship between RAI dose and these adverse effects requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if post-operative RAI therapy for DTC is associated with dose-dependent adverse effects on smell, taste, and nasal functions.
• To evaluate the long-term impact of RAI therapy on olfactory, gustatory, and sinonasal outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 51 patients with DTC who underwent total thyroidectomy were enrolled.
• Patients were stratified into low-dose (50 mCi) and high-dose (100-150 mCi) RAI therapy groups.
• Olfactory (Sniffin' Sticks), gustatory (Taste Strips), and sinonasal (Sino-Nasal Outcome Test) functions were assessed pre-therapy and at 2 months and 1 year post-therapy.

Main Results:

• Significant changes in olfactory, gustatory, and sinonasal function scores were observed over time.
• No statistically significant differences in smell, taste, or nasal function scores were found between the low-dose and high-dose RAI groups.
• Adverse effects on sensory functions were present both short-term and long-term but were not correlated with RAI dose.

Conclusions:

• RAI therapy for DTC causes short- and long-term adverse effects on nasal function, taste, and smell.
• These sensory and functional deficits negatively impact patients' quality of life.
• The observed adverse effects of RAI therapy are not dependent on the administered dose.