COVID-19 related olfactory dysfunction prevalence and  natural history in ambulatory patients

Background: Evidence regarding prevalence of COVID-19 related Olfactory dysfunction (OD) among ambulatory patients is highly variable due to heterogeneity in study population and measurement methods. Relatively few studies have longitudinally investigated OD in ambulatory patients with objective methods. Methods: We performed a longitudinal study to investigate OD among COVID-19 ambulatory patients compared to symptomatic controls who test negative. Out of 81 patients enrolled, 45 COVID-19 positive patients and an age- and sex-matched symptomatic control group completed the BSIT and a questionnaire about smell, taste and nasal symptoms. These were repeated at 1 month for all COVID-19 positive patients, and again at 3 months for those who exhibited persistent OD. Analysis was performed by mixed-effects linear and logistic regression. Results: 46.7% of COVID-19 patients compared to 3.8% of symptomatic controls exhibited OD at 1-week post diagnosis. At 1 month, 16.7%, (6 of 36), of COVID-19 patients had persistent OD. Mean improvement in BSIT score in COVID-19 patients between 1-week BSIT and 1 month follow-up was 2.0. OD did not correlate with nasal congestion. Conclusions: Ambulatory COVID-19 patients exhibited OD significantly more frequently than symptomatic controls. Most patients regained normal olfaction by 1 month. The BSIT is a simple validated and objective test to investigate the prevalence of OD in ambulatory patients. OD did not correlate with nasal congestion which suggests a congestion-independent mechanism of OD.

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Nasal symptoms increase the risk of snoring and snoring increases the risk of nasal symptoms. A longitudinal population study

Sleep And Breathing ◽

10.1007/s11325-020-02287-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Värendh ◽

Christer Janson ◽

Caroline Bengtsson ◽

Johan Hellgren ◽

Mathias Holm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Northern Europe ◽

Nasal Breathing ◽

Nasal Symptoms ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Study Population ◽

Independent Risk Factors

Abstract Purpose Humans have a preference for nasal breathing during sleep. This 10-year prospective study aimed to determine if nasal symptoms can predict snoring and also if snoring can predict development of nasal symptoms. The hypothesis proposed is that nasal symptoms affect the risk of snoring 10 years later, whereas snoring does not increase the risk of developing nasal symptoms. Methods In the cohort study, Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE), a random population from Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, born between 1945 and 1973, was investigated by postal questionnaires in 1999–2001 (RHINE II, baseline) and in 2010–2012 (RHINE III, follow-up). The study population consisted of the participants who had answered questions on nasal symptoms such as nasal obstruction, discharge, and sneezing, and also snoring both at baseline and at follow-up (n = 10,112). Results Nasal symptoms were frequent, reported by 48% of the entire population at baseline, with snoring reported by 24%. Nasal symptoms at baseline increased the risk of snoring at follow-up (adj. OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.22–1.58) after adjusting for age, sex, BMI change between baseline and follow-up, and smoking status. Snoring at baseline was associated with an increased risk of developing nasal symptoms at follow-up (adj. OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.02–1.47). Conclusion Nasal symptoms are independent risk factors for development of snoring 10 years later, and surprisingly, snoring is a risk factor for the development of nasal symptoms.

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Olfactory Dysfunction in β Thalassemia Major Patients Treated With Iron-Chelating Agents

Ear Nose & Throat Journal ◽

10.1177/0145561319840079 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 98 (8) ◽

pp. NP125-NP130

Author(s):

Serhan Derin ◽

Selvet Erdogan ◽

Murat Sahan ◽

Mehmet Fatih Azik ◽

Hatice Derin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chelating Agents ◽

Thalassemia Major ◽

Olfactory Dysfunction ◽

Facial Trauma ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

History Of ◽

And Control ◽

Iron Chelating Agents

Ocular and ophthalmological adverse effects may be seen in β-thalassemia major (BTM) patients treated with regular blood transfusions and iron-chelating agents. We hypothesized that olfactory dysfunction may be present in this population. In this study, we aimed to investigate olfactory dysfunction in patients with BTM and determine the etiological factors. A total of 43 patients with BTM were included in the study. Forty-three patients without any nasal complaints, history of facial trauma, or nasal surgery were included as the controls. All participants had nasal endoscopy. The iron-chelating agents used, their duration of use, as well as hemoglobin and ferritin levels of the BTM patients were recorded. Sniffin’ Sticks test (SST) was used to assess olfactory functions, and BTM and control groups were compared for the results. The correlations of SST scores with the other study parameters were analyzed. Eight (18.6%) of 43 patients in the BTM group had hyposmia while none of the patients in the control group had hyposmia ( P < .001). Older age, low-hemoglobin level, and longer use of deferoxamine were found to be correlated with olfactory dysfunction. Olfactory dysfunction may be seen in BTM patients treated with iron-chelating agents. The results of this study suggest that screening for olfactory function may be needed in routine follow-up of BTM patients.

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Depression risk in patients with heart failure in primary care practices in Germany

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610216000867 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (11) ◽

pp. 1889-1894

Author(s):

Marcel Konrad ◽

Jens Bohlken ◽

Michael A Rapp ◽

Karel Kostev

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Primary Care ◽

Health Insurance ◽

Control Group ◽

Patients With Heart Failure ◽

Study Population ◽

Care Practices ◽

One Year ◽

Primary Care Practices

ABSTRACTBackground:The goal of this study was to estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for diagnosed depression in heart failure (HF) patients in German primary care practices.Methods:This study was a retrospective database analysis in Germany utilizing the Disease Analyzer® Database (IMS Health, Germany). The study population included 132,994 patients between 40 and 90 years of age from 1,072 primary care practices. The observation period was between 2004 and 2013. Follow-up lasted up to five years and ended in April 2015. A total of 66,497 HF patients were selected after applying exclusion criteria. The same number of 66,497 controls were chosen and were matched (1:1) to HF patients on the basis of age, sex, health insurance, depression diagnosis in the past, and follow-up duration after index date.Results:HF was a strong risk factor for diagnosed depression (p < 0.0001). A total of 10.5% of HF patients and 6.3% of matched controls developed depression after one year of follow-up (p < 0.001). Depression was documented in 28.9% of the HF group and 18.2% of the control group after the five-year follow-up (p < 0.001). Cancer, dementia, osteoporosis, stroke, and osteoarthritis were associated with a higher risk of developing depression. Male gender and private health insurance were associated with lower risk of depression.Conclusions:The risk of diagnosed depression is significantly increased in patients with HF compared to patients without HF in primary care practices in Germany.

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Acupuncture for Olfactory Dysfunction in Infected COVID-19 Patients: Study Protocol for a Single Blind, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-823921/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Linda LD Zhong ◽

Chi-Fung CHOY ◽

Hung-Wai CHO ◽

Yi-Ping WONG ◽

Alan Yat-Lun WONG ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Sham Acupuncture ◽

Olfactory Dysfunction ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Real Acupuncture ◽

Single Blind

Abstract Background: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) was recognized as one of common symptom of COVID-19. OD, defined as the reduced or distorted ability to smell during sniffing (orthonasal olfaction) and may represent one of early symptoms in the clinical course of COVID-19 infection. A large online questionnaire-based survey found that some of post COVID-19 patients showed no improvement at one month after they were discharged from hospital. Therefore, this clinical trial is designed to explore the efficacy of acupuncture for OD in infected COVID-19 patients and to determine whether acupuncture could have benefits than sham acupuncture for OD in post- COVID-19 patients.Methods: This is a single blind, randomized controlled, cross over trial. We plan to recruit forty post-COVID-19 patients who are presenting with smell loss or smell distortions more than one month. Qualified patients will be randomly allocated into the intervention group (real acupuncture) or the control group (sham acupuncture) in a 1:1 ratio. Each patient will receive 8 sessions of treatment over 4 week (Cycle 1), and 2-week follow-up. After the follow-up, the control group will be conducted with real acupuncture for another 4 weeks (Cycle 2), and the real acupuncture group will be conducted with the 4-week sham acupuncture. The primary outcomes are the scores change on the questionnaire of olfactory functioning and olfaction related quality of life at weeks 6, 8, 12 and 14 from the baseline. Secondary outcome is the change on the Olfactory Test score at the week 6 and 12 from the baseline measured by using the Traditional Chinese version of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT-TC).Discussion: The results of this trial will help to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture for OD in post-COVID-19 Patients. This may provide a new treatment option for patients.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04959747, Registered on July 13, 2021.

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EFFECT OF SELECTED YOGA TECHNIQUES ALONG WITH ASHWAGANDHA AND VACHA IN DEPRESSION IN THE AGE GROUP 65–75 YEARS

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2021.v14i11.42259 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 65-68

Author(s):

SOUMYA MELEPPURAKKAL ◽

SUNITHA K ◽

JAYAN D

Keyword(s):

Combined Therapy ◽

Holistic Approach ◽

Study Groups ◽

Warm Water ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Age Group ◽

Study Population

Objective: The study was done to compare the effect of selected yoga techniques, drugs, and combined therapy in depression in geriatrics. Methods: 75 patients between 65 and 75 years of age with depression were included in the study which was assessed by HAM D Score. The study population was randomly allocated to one control group and two study groups. The control group was given Aswangandha and Vacha churna with warm water as anupana after food, selected yoga techniques in the first study group, and combined yoga and the drug were given to the second study group. Outcome variables were assessed for the groups after the 30th day and follow-up after 45 days. Results: The results obtained in the study were analyzed using the ANOVA test. Yoga along with drug experienced a comparatively greater reduction in HAM-D score after treatment and follow-up (p<0.05) than other groups. Conclusion: Holistic approach can bring a better and static result than applying the treatment modalities alone.

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Olfactory Dysfunction in β-Thalassemia Major Patients Treated with Iron-Chelating Agents

Ear Nose & Throat Journal ◽

10.1177/0145561317096010-1103 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 96 (10-11) ◽

pp. E8-E12 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Serhan Derin ◽

Selvet Erdogan ◽

Murat Sahan ◽

Mehmet Fatih Azik ◽

Hatice Derin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chelating Agents ◽

Thalassemia Major ◽

Olfactory Dysfunction ◽

Olfactory Function ◽

Facial Trauma ◽

Control Group ◽

History Of ◽

And Control ◽

Iron Chelating Agents

Ocular and ophthalmologic adverse effects may occur in patients with β-thalassemia major (BTM) treated regularly with blood transfusions and iron-chelating agents. We hypothesized that olfactory dysfunction may be present in this patient population. We aimed to investigate olfactory dysfunction in patients with BTM and to determine etiologic factors. A total of 43 patients with BTM were included in the study. Forty-three subjects without nasal complaints, history of facial trauma, or nasal surgery were included as the controls. All participants had nasal endoscopy. The use of iron-chelating agents by patients with BTM and their duration of use were recorded, as well as hemoglobin and ferritin levels. The Sniffin Sticks test (SST) was used to assess olfactory function, comparing results between the BTM and control groups. The correlations of SST scores with the other study parameters were analyzed. Eight (18.6%) of 43 patients in the BTM group and none of the subjects in the control group had hyposmia (p < 0.001). Older age, low hemoglobin level, and longer use of deferoxamine were found to be correlated with olfactory dysfunction. Olfactory dysfunction can occur in patients with BTM treated with iron-chelating agents. The results suggest that screening for olfactory function should be part of the routine follow-up of patients with BTM.

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Experience Of Ocular Symptoms Among Allergic Rhinitis Patients Depending On The Type Of Aeroallergens

Serbian Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research ◽

10.1515/sjecr-2015-0035 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 313-318

Author(s):

Vesna Velickovic ◽

Sladjana Simovic ◽

Tatjana Sarenac ◽

Natasa Mihailovic ◽

Svetlana Ristic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Allergic Rhinitis ◽

Nasal Congestion ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Runny Nose ◽

Ocular Symptoms ◽

Nasal Symptoms ◽

Study Population ◽

Ige Mediated ◽

Indoor Aeroallergens ◽

Indoor And Outdoor

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of ocular symptoms and compare the demographic and clinical characteristics in AR patients depending on sensitisation to various types of aeroallergens. Allergic rhinitis is defined as an IgE-mediated inflammation of the lining of the nose that is characterized by nasal symptoms, including nasal congestion, sneezing, itching of nose and runny nose. Patients suffering from allergic rhinitis frequently experience ocular symptoms such as ocular redness, eye itching and tears. The frequency of ocular symptoms in our study population was 27,6%. No statistical significance was found in the mean ages of the patients who did or did not experience ocular symptoms p>0,05 (p=0,243). Our results indicated that there were no statistical differences (p>0,05) among the groups of allergic rhinitis patients based on experiencing nasal symptoms according to the types of aeroallergens. Our results indicated that there were significant experiences of ocular symptoms in patients who were sensitised to outdoor aeroallergens (p<0,001) and significant sensitisation to both outdoor and indoor aeroallergens (p<0,05). Experiencing the examined ocular symptoms, including ocular redness, eye itching and tears, demonstrated highly statistical significance (p<0,001) among the groups of allergic rhinitis patients who were sensitised to indoor aeroallergens and outdoor aeroallergens, and there was statistical significance (p<0,05) among the groups of allergic rhinitis patients who were sensitised to indoor aeroallergens and both types of aeroallergens (indoor and outdoor). Ocular symptoms are more common in patients who are sensitised to outdoor aeroallergens.

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Influence of Virtual Reality Devices on Pain and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Cystoscopy Performed under Local Anaesthesia

Journal of Personalized Medicine ◽

10.3390/jpm11111214 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 1214

Author(s):

Mateusz Łuczak ◽

Łukasz Nowak ◽

Joanna Chorbińska ◽

Katarzyna Galik ◽

Paweł Kiełb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Pain Perception ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Control Group ◽

Lower Pain ◽

Study Population ◽

Moderate Nausea

Background: Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies. Its diagnosis is based on transurethral cystoscopy. Virtual reality (VR) is a three-dimensional world generated through the projection of images, the emission of sounds and other stimuli. VR has been proven to be a very effective “distractor” and, thus, a useful tool in managing pain. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of VR sets is technically feasible during the cystoscopy and whether the use of VR devices would reduce the degree of ailments associated with the procedure; Methods: The study prospectively included both men and women who qualified for rigid cystoscopy due to both primary and follow-up diagnostics. The study group underwent rigid cystoscopy with the VR set and the control group underwent the procedure without the VR set. Patients enrolled in both groups were subjected to blood pressure, heart rate and saturation measurements before, during and after the procedure. Additionally, the patients were asked to describe the severity of fear, pain sensations and nausea associated with the procedure. Non-verbal pain manifestations were assessed using the adult adjusted Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) scale; Results: The study population included 103 patients (74M/29F; mean age 64.4 years). Pain intensity differed significantly between the groups, reaching lower values in the VR group. In all analyzed subgroups the use of the VR set was associated with higher levels of nausea. The mean FLACC score reached higher values for patients without the VR set. Blood pressure as well as heart rate increased during the procedure and decreased afterwards. The increase in systolic blood pressure and pulse rate was statistically higher in the control group; Conclusions: This study confirmed that cystoscopy is associated with considerable preprocedural fear and severe pain. Blood pressure and heart rate rise significantly during the cystoscopy. VR sets can lower pain perception during cystoscopy, but they may cause moderate nausea.

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Retained tooth in the nasal cavity: a rare cause of nasal congestion

BMJ Case Reports ◽

10.1136/bcr-2018-226745 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. e226745 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marie Louise Moeller ◽

Jesper Bille ◽

Milos Fuglsang

Keyword(s):

Nasal Cavity ◽

Dermoid Cyst ◽

Chronic Rhinosinusitis ◽

Endoscopic Surgery ◽

Nasal Congestion ◽

Surgical Removal ◽

Nasal Symptoms ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Nasal Tooth

A 59-year-old man presented with unilateral nasal congestion and discharge. Clinical examination revealed a mass in the floor of the nasal cavity. Sinus CT indicated a retained tooth or a dermoid cyst. It was removed by endoscopic surgery. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of a retained tooth. At follow-up, the patient reported no nasal symptoms. A retained nasal tooth is rare, and the symptoms are variable. It can resemble other diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis. Surgical removal is recommended to confirm the diagnosis and eliminate symptoms.

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Impediment Profiling for Smoking Cessation: Results of a Pilot Study

American Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.4278/0890-1171-17.5.300 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 300-303 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Meghan O'Connell ◽

Sean C. Lucan ◽

Ming-Chin Yeh ◽

Elaine Rodriguez ◽

Dipti Shah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Initial Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Concurrent Control ◽

Quit Rate ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

Study Population ◽

Survey Instruments

Objective. To test the effectiveness of a smoking cessation program based on “impediment profiling,” the elucidation of an individual participant's personal barriers, with provision of tailored interventions accordingly. Methods. A literature search was conducted to identify established impediments to smoking cessation. A long impediment profiler (LIP) was developed from validated survey instruments and used as a screening tool to identify individuals' barriers to quitting. Once barriers were identified, participants were assigned to up to seven interventions. Self-reported smoking cessation was confirmed with measurements of carbon monoxide concentrations in expired air of ≤10 ppm. Results. Nineteen adults participated in the pilot program. At the year 1 mark, 63.2% of the study population was smoke-free. The mean number of impediments of the study population was 3.5 ± 1.5. There was a negative association between subjects' quit status and the following impediments: stress (p = .0061), anxiety (p = .0445), and depression (p < .001). No single impediment was predictive of quit status. Conclusions. Impediment profiling as a basis for tailored smoking cessation intervention is associated with a high quit rate in this initial study, and it appears promising. Long-term follow-up is warranted, as is replication in a larger cohort with a concurrent control group.

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