Evaluation of olfactory loss in patients with allergic rhinitis

ABSTRACT

In this study, 50 patients reporting allergic rhinitis manifestations were examined by history, nasal endoscopic examination, olfactory testing, skin testing with allergens and CT scan of the paranasal sinuses and nose. Twenty normal subjects free from current or past history of nasal disease served as a control group. The results indicated that the mean olfactory score for the allergic rhinitis group was low compared with the control group. There was a significant statistical difference between alcohol, cinnamon, cocoa and coffee olfaction in patients with allergic rhinitis with symptoms for over five-year duration in comparison with patients with symptoms of less than five years, in those who received treatment for allergy in comparison with those who did not and in those with a high number of positive skin tests in comparison with those with a low number of positive skin tests