Nasal health in Down syndrome: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate peripheral nasal pathology as a contributor to olfactory impairment in DS.


METHODS
Twenty DS and 16 non-DS subjects were recruited. Nasal history and symptoms were assessed by self-report or informant. Olfactory threshold, odor identification, and nasal endoscopy were assessed on each subject.


RESULTS
DS subjects were impaired on olfactory threshold (P<0.0001) and odor identification (P<0.001). Although DS subjects tended toward upper-respiratory infections, sleep-disordered breathing, and nasal itching, differences were not significant (P=0.07, 0.06, and 0.058, respectively). There were no significant differences on self-reported nasal history or symptoms. Endoscopy showed equivalent health in DS and control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
This DS population shows olfactory impairment. However, nasal health is comparable in DS subjects and controls. Nasal dysfunction is unlikely to contribute to olfactory impairment in DS.


CONCLUSIONS
Olfactory deficits in DS appear to be secondary to central, rather than rhinologic, pathology.


METHODS
B-2b.
Chen
Margaret A
MA
Division of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, California 92120, USA.
Lander
Timothy R
TR
Murphy
Claire
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000503:physiopathology; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*