ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction Olfactory dysfunctionmay be present in patients with nasal obstruction and septal deviation. The impact of olfactory dysfunction on the psychological profile and quality of life (QoL) of these patients remains unexplored. Objective The present study aimed to investigate the emotional status and QoL of patients with olfactory dysfunction and septal deviation and to identify predictors associated with clinically significant improvement of psychological status and QoL, focusing mainly on the role of olfactory recovery after septoplasty. Methods The olfactory function was quantitatively assessed using the ''Sniffin' sticks'' test (Burghart Messtechnik GmbH, Wedel, Germany) in 60 patients and 25 controls enrolled in this prospective study. The participants completed validated questionnaires specific for general health (Short Form-36), nasal-symptom related QoL (SinoNasal Outcome Test-22), olfaction-associated QoL (Questionnaire of Olfactory Deficits) and for assessing their psychological state (Short Anxiety Screening Test and Beck Depression Inventory) preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. The patients used the Glasgow Benefit Inventory to evaluate their personal benefit after septoplasty with. Results Septoplasty led to significantly improved olfactory function. Patients with olfactory impairment had significantly lower nasal-symptom related QoL, higher stress levels, andmore depressivemood compared with normosmics and controls before and after septoplasty. Postoperatively, personal benefit from surgery was higher in normosmic patients. Improvement of nasal-symptom related QoL was significantly associated with higher likelihood of clinically significant improvement of patients' psychological profile and more personal benefit from surgery. Olfactory dysfunction was negatively correlated with the emotional status of the patients. Conclusion Olfactory dysfunction appears to significantly affect the psychological status of patients with nasal obstruction, and olfactory recovery improves the patients' perception of personal benefit from septoplasty.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Various olfactory tests have already been proposed in order to clinically assess the olfactory function, for example, UPSIT, T & T olfactometer, CCCRC test, GITU, IV olfaction test. At recent, electro-olfactogram(EOG), olfactorhinometry, olfactory evoked potential, contingent negative variation was tried as the objective olfactory test. OBJECTIVES: We use the functional imaging of MRI which affords the potential for exploring regional pathophysiologic change in living brain as an olfactory function test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Functional MRI scans of the brain were performed on 5 healthy subjects and 3 patients with olfactory dysfunction. 2 of the patients were diagnosed Parkinson's disease and the other one had basal skull fracture. Then, all subjects were performed CCCRC test. RESULT: 6 of 8 subjects showed significant region of activation in olfactory bulb and tract. Additional region of activation were also observed in amygdala and parahippocampus. Average activation ratio was 3.42+/-2.37%. CONCLUSION: These studies indicate that functional MRI have many limitations but it may be used to evaluate olfactory dysfunction and predict prognosis.