title: Effects of pentoxifylline on olfactory sensitivity: a postmarketing surveillance study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of pentoxifylline, an unspecific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, on olfactory function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen patients who received pentoxifylline to treat inner-ear conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evaluation of olfactory function (ie, odor threshold, odor discrimination, and odor identification) before and after administration of pentoxifylline and assessment of nasal airflow.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administration of pentoxifylline had no significant effect on nasal airflow (P = .84). After administration of pentoxifylline, patients demonstrated a decrease in odor threshold toward lower odor concentrations (P = .01). The odor threshold shift after administration of pentoxifylline was more pronounced in younger patients than in older patients (correlation between age and change in odor threshold: r = -.72; P = .001). No such changes were observed for suprathreshold olfactory tasks (odor discrimination and odor identification). Six of the 19 patients were found to have hyposmia. Two patients demonstrated a clinically significant decrease in odor threshold after drug administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present findings may indicate a role for pentoxifylline in the treatment of olfactory loss. Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are needed to verify whether pentoxifylline can improve olfactory sensitivity in patients with olfactory disorders.
authors.affiliation: Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gudziol
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hummel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007759:Labyrinth Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D025363:Rhinomanometry; D012903:Smell / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010431:Pentoxifylline