Prevalence and Magnitude of Olfactory Dysfunction in Allergic Rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Although allergic rhinitis (AR) can negatively impact the ability to smell, the degree to which this occurs is not clear and prevalence estimates vary among studies. This study had 4 main objectives: (1) To estimate the prevalence and the degree of olfactory dysfunction in AR patients; (2) To compare olfactory perception between AR patients with different persistence and severity of symptoms and determine if olfactory testing may aid in differentiating among Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) groups; (3) To determine whether allergic reactions to different allergens differentially impact olfactory function, and (4) Verify possible changes in the olfactory epithelium (OE) caused by AR. METHODS: One hundred thirty-three patients with AR and one hundred controls were tested. The main outcome was the score in University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT®). The OE was examined using immunofluorescence markers for neuronal activity, apoptosis, oxidative stress, signal transduction, eosinophils, and epithelial thickness. RESULTS: Prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in the AR patients was higher (AR: 42.9% vs controls: 9%, P < .001). No difference was found either between intermittent and persistent disease cases (P = .58) or between cases with mild and those with moderate/severe symptomatology (P = .33). Lower olfactory capacity was not associated with the reaction to more (P = .48) or diverse types of allergens (Ps > .05). Although not significant, patients with AR had a greater amount of eosinophilia and a lower amount of cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) in the OE. CONCLUSION: The study highlights a higher prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in AR patients compared to controls, but olfactory testing may not effectively differentiate AR severity or allergen sensitivities. Although trends suggest potential pathophysiological changes in the OE of AR patients, further research is needed to validate these findings.

Adaptation of the Pediatric Smell WheelTM to evaluate olfactory function in Brazilian children

Abstract Objective: Olfaction influences nutrition, safety, and the cognitive development of children. Presently there are few olfactory tests for children, and normative reference values are generally lacking. In this study, we validate the Pediatric Smell WheelTM (PSW) to evaluate olfactory function in Brazilian children. Methods: We modified and validated the PSW, a test developed in the United States, for administration in Brazil, and established normative data for Brazilian children. The validation process consisted of five phases. First, we identified odorants familiar to Brazilian children. Second, we established the test-retest reliability of the Brazilian PSW test that employed these odorants. Third, we compared the test scores of healthy children to those microsmic from adenoid hypertrophy. Fourth, we examined the test's ability to detect improvement in olfactory function before and after adenoidectomy. Finally, we determined a normative 10th percentile cut point for defining microsmia in a sample of 169 healthy Brazilian children between 5 and 12 years of age. Results: Eleven odors were identified for inclusion in the test. The test-retest reliability was modest (r = 0.54, p < 0.001), although likely attenuated based on the inclusion of only data from children with normal function. The test clearly differentiated the olfactory function of children with adenoid hypertrophy from that of healthy children and demonstrated the return of function after adenoidectomy. An overall score <7 was found useful in defining hyposmia, although additional age-related cut-points were also defined. Conclusion: A Brazilian version of the PSW was developed and validated and found to be efficacious in detecting smell dysfunction in children ranging in age from 5 to 12 years. Level of evidence: 1b (Diagnosis).

Clinical, sociodemographic and environmental factors impact post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Background: Sociodemographic and environmental factors are associated with incidence, severity, and mortality of COVID-19. However, little is known about the role of such factors in persisting symptoms among recovering patients. We designed a cohort study of hospitalized COVID-19 survivors to describe persistent symptoms and identify factors associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome. Methods: We included patients hospitalized between March to August 2020 who were alive six months after hospitalization. We collected individual and clinical characteristics during hospitalization and at follow-up assessed ten symptoms with standardized scales, 19 yes/no symptoms, a functional status and a quality-of-life scale and performed four clinical tests. We examined individual exposure to greenspace and air pollution and considered neighbourhood´s population density and socioeconomic conditions as contextual factors in multilevel regression analysis. Results: We included 749 patients with a median follow-up of 200 (IQR = 185-235) days, and 618 (83%) had at least one of the ten symptoms measured with scales. Pain (41%), fatigue (38%) and posttraumatic stress disorder (35%) were the most frequent. COVID-19 severity, comorbidities, BMI, female sex, younger age, and low socioeconomic position were associated with different symptoms. Exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with higher dyspnoea and fatigue scores and lower functional status. Conclusions: We identified a high frequency of persistent symptoms among COVID-19 survivors that were associated with clinical, sociodemographic, and environmental variables. These findings indicate that most patients recovering from COVID-19 will need post-discharge care, and an additional burden to health care systems, especially in LMICs, should be expected.

Adaptation of the Pediatric Smell WheelTM to evaluate olfactory function in Brazilian children.

OBJECTIVE: Olfaction influences nutrition, safety, and the cognitive development of children. Presently there are few olfactory tests for children, and normative reference values are generally lacking. In this study, we validate the Pediatric Smell WheelTM (PSW) to evaluate olfactory function in Brazilian children. METHODS: We modified and validated the PSW, a test developed in the United States, for administration in Brazil, and established normative data for Brazilian children. The validation process consisted of five phases. First, we identified odorants familiar to Brazilian children. Second, we established the test-retest reliability of the Brazilian PSW test that employed these odorants. Third, we compared the test scores of healthy children to those microsmic from adenoid hypertrophy. Fourth, we examined the test's ability to detect improvement in olfactory function before and after adenoidectomy. Finally, we determined a normative 10th percentile cut point for defining microsmia in a sample of 169 healthy Brazilian children between 5 and 12 years of age. RESULTS: Eleven odors were identified for inclusion in the test. The test-retest reliability was modest (r = 0.54, p < 0.001), although likely attenuated based on the inclusion of only data from children with normal function. The test clearly differentiated the olfactory function of children with adenoid hypertrophy from that of healthy children and demonstrated the return of function after adenoidectomy. An overall score <7 was found useful in defining hyposmia, although additional age-related cut-points were also defined. CONCLUSION: A Brazilian version of the PSW was developed and validated and found to be efficacious in detecting smell dysfunction in children ranging in age from 5 to 12 years. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b (Diagnosis).

Rhinomanometry Versus Computational Fluid Dynamics: Correlated, but Different Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Past studies reported a low correlation between rhinomanometry and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), but the source of the discrepancy was unclear. Low correlation or lack of correlation has also been reported between subjective and objective measures of nasal patency. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates (1) the correlation and agreement between nasal resistance derived from CFD (RCFD) and rhinomanometry (RRMN), and (2) the correlation between objective and subjective measures of nasal patency. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with nasal obstruction underwent anterior rhinomanometry before and after mucosal decongestion with oxymetazoline. Subjective nasal patency was assessed with a 0-10 visual analog scale (VAS). CFD simulations were performed based on computed tomography scans obtained after mucosal decongestion. To validate the CFD methods, nasal resistance was measured in vitro (REXPERIMENT) by performing pressure-flow experiments in anatomically accurate plastic nasal replicas from 6 individuals. RESULTS: Mucosal decongestion was associated with a reduction in bilateral nasal resistance (0.34 ± 0.23 Pa.s/ml to 0.19 ± 0.24 Pa.s/ml, p = 0.003) and improved sensation of nasal airflow (bilateral VAS decreased from 5.2 ± 1.9 to 2.6 ± 1.9, p < 0.001). A statistically significant correlation was found between VAS in the most obstructed cavity and unilateral airflow before and after mucosal decongestion (r = -0.42, p = 0.003). Excellent correlation was found between RCFD and REXPERIMENT (r = 0.96, p < 0.001) with good agreement between the numerical and in vitro values (RCFD/REXPERIMENT = 0.93 ± 0.08). A weak correlation was found between RCFD and RRMN (r = 0.41, p = 0.003) with CFD underpredicting nasal resistance derived from rhinomanometry (RCFD/RRMN = 0.65 ± 0.63). A stronger correlation was found when unilateral airflow at a pressure drop of 75 Pa was used to compare CFD with rhinomanometry (r = 0.76, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CFD and rhinomanometry are moderately correlated, but CFD underpredicts nasal resistance measured in vivo due in part to the assumption of rigid nasal walls. Our results confirm previous reports that subjective nasal patency correlates better with unilateral than with bilateral measurements and in the context of an intervention.

Padronização da anestesia em suínos para procedimentos cirúrgicos cardiovasculares experimentais / Standardization of anesthesia in swine for experimental cardiovascular surgeries / Estandarización de la anestesia en cerdos para procedimientos quirúrgicos cardiovasculares experimentales

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVO: Embora sejam os cães os animais mais utilizados em Cirurgia Experimental, nota-se crescente utilização de ovinos, bovinos e suínos como modelos para experimentação científica. Assim, faz-se necessário maior aprendizado de seu tratamento e padronizações básicas para os procedimentos cirúrgicos mais complexos em suínos. O objetivo foi avaliar a sedação e analgesia, obtidas pela injeção intramuscular de midazolam e cetamina e anestesia local com lidocaína a 2 por cento sem vasoconstritor, na realização de traqueostomia, dissecção de artéria e veia femorais. MÉTODO: A freqüência cardíaca e o reflexo córneo-palpebral foram avaliados logo no início da sedação, durante os procedimentos cirúrgicos descritos e após seu término. Foram utilizados oito suínos fornecidos por fazendas locais sem tratamento prévio da raça Large White, com peso de 35 a 42 quilos que receberam injeção intramuscular de 22 mg.kg-1 de cetamina e 0,3 mg.kg-1 de midazolam. RESULTADOS: A abordagem anestésica nesses animais, de difíceis intubação e acesso aos vasos profundos, provou ser segura para sedação e analgesia através do método utilizado: acesso intramuscular. CONCLUSÃO: Obteve-se adequado plano de anestesia para o procedimento proposto.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although dogs are the animals used more often in Experimental Surgeries, the use of sheep, bovine, and swine as models for scientific experiments has been growing. Thus, further learning on the treatment and basic standardization of more complex surgeries in swine are necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate sedation and analgesia, obtained by the intramuscular administration of midazolam and ketamine, and local anesthetics with 2 percent lidocaine without vasoconstrictor, in tracheostomy and dissection of femoral artery and vein. METHODS: The heart rate and corneal-palpebral reflex were evaluated at the beginning of sedation, during the surgical procedures, and at the end of those procedures. Eight Large White swine, without prior treatment, weighing 35 to 42 kg were provided by local farms. They received intramuscular injections of 22 mg.kg-1 of ketamine and 0.3 mg.kg-1 of midazolam. RESULTS: The anesthetic approach on those animals, who present both difficult intubation and access to deep vessels, proved to be safe for sedation and analgesia by the method chosen: intramuscular administration. CONCLUSIONS: An adequate plane of anesthesia for the proposed procedure was achieved.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Aunque los perros sean los animales más a menudo usados en Cirugía Experimental, se nota un aumento en la utilización de los ovinos, bovinos y porcinos como modelo para experimentación científica. De esa forma, se hace necesario aprender más con su tratamiento y estandarizaciones básicas para los procedimientos quirúrgicos más complejos en porcinos. El objetivo fue evaluar la sedación y la analgesia obtenidas por la inyección intramuscular de midazolán y la cetamina y anestesia local con lidocaína a un 2 por ciento sin vasoconstrictor, en la realización de traqueostomía, disección de arteria y vena femorales. MÉTODO: La frecuencia cardíaca y el reflejo córneo-palpebral fueron evaluados inmediatamente al inicio de la sedación, durante los procedimientos quirúrgicos descritos y después en su conclusión. Se utilizaron ocho porcinos que fueron suministrados por haciendas de la región sin tratamiento previo de la raza Large White, con peso de 35 a 42 kilos que recibieron inyección intramuscular de 22 mg.kg-1 de cetamina y 0.3 mg.kg-1 de midazolán. RESULTADOS: El abordaje anestésico en esos animales, de difícil intubación y acceso a los vasos profundos, demostró ser seguro para la sedación y analgesia a través del método utilizado: el acceso intramuscular. CONCLUSIÓN: Se obtuvo un adecuado plan de anestesia para el procedimiento propuesto.

Standardization of anesthesia in swine for experimental cardiovascular surgeries.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although dogs are the animals used more often in Experimental Surgeries, the use of sheep, bovine, and swine as models for scientific experiments has been growing. Thus, further learning on the treatment and basic standardization of more complex surgeries in swine are necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate sedation and analgesia, obtained by the intramuscular administration of midazolam and ketamine, and local anesthetics with 2% lidocaine without vasoconstrictor, in tracheostomy and dissection of femoral artery and vein. METHODS: The heart rate and corneal-palpebral reflex were evaluated at the beginning of sedation, during the surgical procedures, and at the end of those procedures. Eight Large White swine, without prior treatment, weighing 35 to 42 kg were provided by local farms. They received intramuscular injections of 22 mg.kg of ketamine and 0.3 mg.kg(-1) of midazolam. RESULTS: The anesthetic approach on those animals, who present both difficult intubation and access to deep vessels, proved to be safe for sedation and analgesia by the method chosen: intramuscular administration. CONCLUSIONS: An adequate plane of anesthesia for the proposed procedure was achieved.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in chronic rhinosinusitis may be a marker of undisclosed vasculitis.

BACKGROUND: Upper airway manifestations are common features of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-related vasculitis. Determining the presence of this antibody in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) may allow early identification and treatment of underlying vasculitis. Methods Forty-nine consecutive CRS patients and 165 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated for vasculitis complaints. ANCA were detected by indirect immunofluorescence, and antibodies to proteinase 3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Patients and controls were comparable concerning the mean age (47.2 +/- 15 years versus 45 +/- 12.5 years; p = 0.303) and female predominance (73.5% versus 60%; p = 0.502). Vasculitis-associated complaints were reported in 8/49 (16.3%) patients: 7 patients reported a 10-year history of asthma and 1 patient had red/painful eyes associated with epistaxis. ANCA was positive in 5/49 (10%) patients and absent in controls (p < 0.0001). One patient had high titer cytoplasmic ANCA/PR3 and during the investigation developed clinical features of Wegener's granulomatosis. The other four patients had perinuclear ANCA, of whom three were asymptomatic and one is currently under surveillance for Churg-Strauss syndrome. Sinus computed tomography scan revealed that patients who were ANCA(+) had more extensive disease involvement than ANCA(-) patients (Lund-Mackay score median value, 21 versus 13; p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: ANCA may identify a subset of difficult to treat CRS patients with underlying vasculitis and may be useful for establishing an early diagnosis of vasculitis in CRS.