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The association between olfactory and gustatory dysfunction and chronic kidney disease
Api Chewcharat1, Elizabeth A Phipps2, Khushboo Bhatia2
1Department of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 330 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA. api.che@hotmail.com.
BMC Nephrology
|January 19, 2022
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is linked to a higher prevalence of olfactory dysfunction, impacting smell but not taste. Early screening for smell loss in CKD patients may help maintain muscle strength and nutritional status.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Sensory Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Olfactory and gustatory changes can lead to poor appetite and food aversion in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- The prevalence of smell and taste dysfunction in the CKD population remains largely unknown.
- Understanding these sensory changes is crucial for managing nutritional status in CKD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in adults with CKD.
- To examine the association between CKD and sensory dysfunction.
- To investigate the relationship between CKD, sensory dysfunction, and nutritional markers.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study utilizing data from 3527 US adults (≥40 years) from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
- Olfactory dysfunction was assessed using the NHANES Pocket Smell Test, and gustatory dysfunction using the quinine whole-mouth test.
- CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m².
Main Results:
- The prevalence of olfactory dysfunction was significantly higher in CKD patients (30%) compared to non-CKD individuals (15%) (p < 0.001).
- No significant difference in gustatory dysfunction prevalence was observed between CKD (13%) and non-CKD (17%) groups (p = 0.10).
- Adjusted analyses revealed CKD was significantly associated with olfactory dysfunction (OR = 1.47, p = 0.02) but not gustatory dysfunction (OR = 1.76, p = 0.05).
- Among CKD patients, olfactory dysfunction was strongly associated with lower grip strength (OR = 1.72, p = 0.005).
Conclusions:
- Chronic kidney disease is associated with an increased likelihood of olfactory dysfunction, but not gustatory dysfunction.
- Olfactory dysfunction in CKD patients is linked to reduced muscle strength (grip strength).
- Screening for and intervening in olfactory dysfunction among CKD patients may be beneficial for preserving muscle strength and improving nutritional status.
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