Comparison between olfactory training and curcumin therapy in improving olfactory dysfunction in patients with...

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Otolaryngology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Olfactory dysfunction is a common comorbidity in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• The underlying mechanisms of smell impairment in CKD are not fully understood.
• Interventions to improve olfactory function in CKD patients are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of olfactory training and curcumin on olfactory dysfunction in CKD patients.
• To compare the efficacy of olfactory training and curcumin against a placebo in improving olfactory function.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 60 CKD patients.
• Participants were divided into three groups: curcumin, olfactory training, and control (placebo).
• Olfactory function was assessed using the Iran-smell identification test (Iran-SIT), questionnaire of olfactory disorders (QOD), and self-assessment.

Main Results:

• Olfactory training significantly improved olfactory function across all assessment tools (Iran-SIT, QOD, self-assessment) compared to baseline.
• Curcumin also showed improvements in QOD and self-assessment scores.
• Olfactory training demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in Iran-SIT and QOD scores compared to the curcumin group.
• The control group showed no significant changes in olfactory function.

Conclusions:

• Olfactory training is an effective intervention for improving olfactory function in CKD patients.
• Olfactory training appears to be more effective than curcumin in managing smell dysfunction in this population.
• These findings suggest olfactory training as a potential therapeutic strategy for CKD-related olfactory dysfunction.