The role of nasal immunoglobulins in the recovery of olfactory function in COVID-19 patients

The sense of smell is the least examined of all senses. The significance of the organs of smell is in their influence on the mental state as well as on the vegetative, visceral and sexual functions. The objective of this experiment was to define the influence of sex on the olfactory function. It was performed on 120 subjects (60 females and 60 males) divided into three age groups (20 - 30; 31 - 40; 41 - 50 years of age). The experiment was carried out by the Fortunato-Niccolini olfactometric method using six odorous experimental substances: A - anethol, PH - phenyl-ethyl-alcohol, C citral, M - menthol, V- vanillin and P - pyridine, the thresholds of perception (TP) and identification (TI) being defined for each odorous substance. The examined females had slightly lower thresholds of perception (TP) and identification (TI) in relation to the males of the same age group. However, the differences were not statistically significant except for the group of subjects between 41 and 50 years of age where the females, being in the pre-menopause, had significantly better olfactory functions. The results can be explained by the weakening of the olfactory power as a result of ageing in both sexes, however, the females still experienced the protective role of sex hormones.

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The Relationship Between Olfactory Function and Emotional Contagion

Chemosensory Perception ◽

10.1007/s12078-021-09293-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alexander W. J. Freemantle ◽

Lorenzo D. Stafford ◽

Christopher R. D. Wagstaff ◽

Lucy Akehurst

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation ◽

Emotional Contagion ◽

Olfactory Function ◽

Emotional States ◽

Self Assessments ◽

Subjective Importance ◽

Multilevel Structural Equation ◽

The Relationship ◽

Contagion Process

Abstract Introduction Research has provided evidence for the transfer of single emotions including anger, anxiety and happiness through olfactory chemosignals, yet no work has examined the role of odour function in the aggregation of more complex emotional states or in the emotional contagion process. The aim of the present study was to ascertain whether an individual’s tendency to experience emotional aggregation was affected by objective measures of their olfactory function and subjective self-assessments of the importance of their own olfactory system. Methods In this study (N = 70), participant pairs were first assessed individually for olfactory threshold and odour identification, then completed the Importance of Olfaction Questionnaire. Each pair subsequently took part in two collaborative tasks. Individual emotion measures were taken before, during and after the completion of the two tasks. Results Multilevel structural equation modelling revealed that individuals’ within-dyad positive emotional agreement scores were associated with both their ‘importance of olfaction’ scores and their olfactory function. A significant association was also found between olfactory performance and the Importance of Olfaction scores. Conclusions These results provide evidence that the subjective importance an individual assigns to their sense of smell can predict their susceptibility to experience emotional aggregation during active, collaborative tasks. Implications The findings suggest that individuals’ tendency and capability to detect and respond to emotional chemosignals, a process required for olfactory-facilitated emotional contagion, may be affected by individual differences in olfactory function and subjective attitudes toward olfaction.

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Evaluating the Relationship Between Olfactory Function and Loneliness in Community-Dwelling Individuals: A Cross-sectional Study

American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy ◽

10.1177/1945892420958365 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 194589242095836

Author(s):

Vincent M. Desiato ◽

Zachary M. Soler ◽

Shaun A. Nguyen ◽

Craig Salvador ◽

Jonathan B. Hill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Los Angeles ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Olfactory Function ◽

Olfactory Discrimination ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vas Scores ◽

The Relationship

Background Olfactory dysfunction (OD) has been reported to impact social interactions. However, the relationship between OD and loneliness has received little attention. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between OD and loneliness, controlling for patient factors. Methods Subjects without otolaryngic complaints were enrolled and olfactory function was assessed using: Sniffin’ Sticks test to measure threshold, discrimination and identification (TDI), Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders Negative Statements (QOD-NS) and 9 – item Olfactory-Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Loneliness was assessed using the De Jong Gierveld (DJG) and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) loneliness scales. Bivariate analysis was performed followed by regression analysis, controlling for confounders. Results In total, 221 subjects were included with a mean age of 50.5 years (range 20 to 93), 133 (60.2%) females and 161 (72.9%) white. Mean TDI score was 29.3 (7.0) and 49.5% of the cohort was dysosmic. Using DJG, 36.4% of the cohort were classified as lonely, whereas 35.0% were lonely using UCLA. Olfactory measures were significantly associated with DJG, including TDI (β = −0.03, p = 0.050), olfactory discrimination (β = −0.111, p = 0.005), QOD-NS (β = 0.058, p < 0.001) and olfactory-VAS (β = 0.032, p < 0.001). UCLA scores were significantly associated with QOD-NS (PR 1.061 [CI 1.018–1.107], p = 0.005) and olfactory-VAS scores (PR 1.027, [CI 1.007–1.049], p = 0.009). After controlling for confounders, the association between DJG and olfactory discrimination, as well as DJG and olfactory-VAS remained significant. Conclusions In this community-based sample of older adults, both OD and loneliness were common. Those subjects with worse olfactory function were more likely to report loneliness. Further research is necessary to establish causality, as well as explore the role of depression.

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Olfactory function in an excitotoxic model for secondary neuronal degeneration: Role of dopaminergic interneurons

Neuroscience ◽

10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.09.008 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 364 ◽

pp. 28-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Concepció Marin ◽

Sara Laxe ◽

Cristobal Langdon ◽

Joan Berenguer ◽

Eduardo Lehrer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neuronal Degeneration ◽

Olfactory Function

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Bacterial biofilm in adults with ENT pathology

Romanian Journal of Medical Practice ◽

10.37897/rjmp.2021.2.18 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 207-214

Author(s):

Radmila Anca BUGARI ◽

◽

Sorin BAȘCHIR ◽

Ciprian MIHALI ◽

Luminita TURCIN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nasal Mucosa ◽

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery ◽

Study Groups ◽

Olfactory Function ◽

Bacterial Biofilm ◽

Sinus Surgery ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Mean Values ◽

Prick Test

Introduction. Chronic rhinosinusitis, a very common inflammatory condition, is a main public health issue affecting the quality of life. Furthermore, some patients do not respond to either medical or surgical intervention, which could be explained by the presence of the bacterial biofilm in the rhinosinusal zone. Objectives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of endoscopic sinus surgery on olfactory impairment caused by chronic sinusitis with and without nasal polyps (CRSNP and CRS), by testing the olfactory function and potential dysfunction before and after endoscopic sinus surgery. Another objective is to find a connection between the percentage of coverage with bacterial biofilm of the nasal mucosa from patients with CRSNP and CRS and to evidence the fountain of infection role of the bacterial biofilm, while demonstrating that antibiotic therapy is not efficient once the bacterial biofilm is formed in the nasal sinuses. Materials and methods. We investigated 123 patients with CRSNP and CRS, which underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The olfactory function was tested pre and post FESS. We also analyzed and compared the scores of endoscopic images of Lund-Kennedy and CT staging scale of LundMackey for the two study groups. The degree of olfactory rehabilitation in patients with CRSNP and CRS was evaluated performing smell diskettes test. The presence of bacterial biofilm on the surface of the nasal mucosa extracted during FESS from patients with CRSNP and CRS was examined with the electronic microscope and the percentage of coverage with bacterial biofilm was measured with Carnoy software. Results. Bacterial biofilm was present in a higher percentage in patients with CRS vs. CRSNP. By comparing the level of olfactory function, significant improvement was found after FESS intervention in both study groups. Postoperatively, Lund-Kennedy scores decrease significantly for the whole group (Z = -9.66 at p < 0.001, d Cohen = 4.40), indicating the major role of surgery in the treatment of CRS. The decrease in Lund-Kennedy score values is also significant for each group. In the case of subjects diagnosed with CRS, the mean values decrease from 6.57 (preoperative) to 0.90 (postoperative), respectively Z = -6.779 to p < 0.001. In the case of subjects diagnosed with CRSNP, the mean values decrease from 9.03 (preoperative) to 1.44 (postoperative), Z = -6.927 at p < 0.001. Out of the total number of patients included in the study, 59 patients tested positive with the Prick test for dust and mites and more than half of the patients with positive allergy test were from the lot diagnosed with CRSNP. Conclusions. FESS plays an important role in the improvement of olfactory function in patients with CRS. Bacterial biofilm was present in both study groups but in higher percentage in the CRS group and was found in lower percentage in the group with positive allergy tests. The CRSNP group presented a higher positive result regarding the allergy Prick test and a lower percentage of coverage with bacterial biofilm of the nasal mucosa. In conclusion, chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps that is refractary to antibiotic therapy should be directed to the ENT department in order to receive surgical therapy in order to improve olfactory function.

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