Olfactory function in primary open-angle glaucoma patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the olfactory function of primary open-angle glaucoma patients.


METHODS
We analyzed odour threshold, identification, and discrimination in 30 primary open-angle glaucoma patients and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects. The "Sniffin' Sticks" test battery was applied sequentially on both sides, scores of two nostrils were averaged and means were compared with Mann-Whitney U-test between the groups.


RESULTS
Scores for odour threshold were 5.9 +/- 2.2 and 7.4 +/- 2.1 in glaucoma and control group, respectively (p = 0.01), for odour discrimination 10.5 +/- 2.0 and 10.8 +/- 1.6 (p = 0.65), and for odour identification 11.8 +/- 2.1 and 10.6 +/- 1.6 (p = 0.008). Comparing within glaucoma group between those with (n = 18) and without history (n = 12) of cold hands and feet, the former had significantly better odour threshold scores, 6.6 +/- 1.5, than the latter, 4.8 +/- 2.6 (p = 0.036); no difference in other two olfactory modalities were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes of olfactory function have been described in neurodegenerations such as Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. Complex alterations of olfactory performance seem to be present in POAG patients as well.
Gugleta
K
K
Ophthalmology Department, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. gugletak@uhbs.ch
Kochkorov
A
A
Katamay
R
R
Husner
A
A
Welge-Lüssen
A
A
Flammer
J
J
Orgül
S
S
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012903:Smell