Changes in Peripheral Olfactory Pathways in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rheumatology
• Radiology

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease.
• Olfactory dysfunction is increasingly recognized in RA patients.
• Peripheral olfactory pathways, including olfactory bulb (OB) and olfactory sulcus (OS), may be affected in RA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate olfactory bulb volumes and olfactory sulcus depths in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
• To compare olfactory pathway measurements between RA patients and a control group.
• To explore the impact of biological agents and age on olfactory structures in RA.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of cranial magnetic resonance images from 68 adult patients.
• Comparison of OB volumes and OS depths between 34 RA patients and 34 controls.
• Measurement of peripheral odor pathways using magnetic resonance imaging.

Main Results:

• RA patients exhibited significantly lower bilateral OB volumes compared to controls.
• Right OS depth was significantly greater than left OS depth in both groups.
• Left OS depth was greater in RA patients using biological agents versus those not using them.
• Positive correlations were found between OB volumes and OS depths bilaterally.
• Bilateral OS depth decreased in older RA patients.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral olfactory pathways are anatomically affected in RA patients.
• Biological agents may offer some protection to olfactory function in RA.
• Clinical and radiological evaluation of olfactory function is important in RA management.