Correlations between gustatory, trigeminal, and olfactory functions and nasal airflow

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Neuroscience
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Chemosensory perception, including smell and taste, is crucial for quality of life.
• Nasal airflow significantly impacts airflow-dependent chemosensory functions.
• Understanding the interplay between chemosensory abilities and nasal airflow is vital for diagnosing and managing related disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between objective chemosensory screening tests and nasal airflow measurements.
• To identify factors associated with the outcomes of these chemosensory and nasal airflow tests.
• To explore correlations among different chemosensory modalities and nasal airflow in individuals without pre-existing chemosensory complaints.

Main Methods:

• Four hundred participants without chemosensory complaints underwent standardized chemosensory tests (orthonasal olfaction, retronasal olfaction, trigeminal function, taste) and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) measurement.
• Medical history, visual analogue scales (VAS) for smell/taste, sinusitis symptom scores, and olfaction significance questionnaires were collected.
• Statistical analyses were performed to determine correlations and age-related changes.

Main Results:

• No significant correlation was found between objective chemosensory test scores and self-rated function (VAS, symptom scores).
• Weak positive correlations were observed between retronasal olfaction and taste scores with other chemosensory tests and PNIF.
• Age-related declines in PNIF, trigeminal function, retronasal olfaction, and orthonasal olfaction were observed starting at ages 40, 40, 60, and 70, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Objective chemosensory screening and subjective self-assessment of function are not correlated in individuals without chemosensory complaints.
• Gustatory, olfactory, and trigeminal functions are interrelated and also associated with nasal airflow.
• The findings suggest a potential central nervous system mediation of the observed correlations between various chemosensory functions and nasal airflow.