title: Olfactory dysfunction and asthma as risk factors for poor quality of life in upper airway diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study of olfaction/quality of life (QoL) interaction has not been adequately discussed and remains to be further explored. Determination of clinical predictors for poor QoL may support consultation of respective patients. This study explores QoL of patients with olfactory dysfunction and evaluates associated clinical risk factors for QoL prediction.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred eight patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and allergic rhinitis (AR) and 30 healthy subjects were studied. Olfactory function was evaluated using objective olfactory test. All patients completed six validated questionnaires either specific for olfaction (Questionnaire of Olfactory Deficits [QOD]) and for assessing psychological state (Zung Anxiety Scale [ZAS], State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Zung Depression Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]) or a generic one (Short Form 36).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly poorer QoL and more severe anxiety and depression symptoms were observed in anosmic (all p < 0.001) and hyposmic patients compared with controls. Anosmic patients presented significantly worse results compared with hyposmic and normosmic patients. However, higher scores were observed in hyposmic compared with normosmic patients only in the QOD, ZAS, and BDI scale. Patients with CRS presented significantly poorer QoL than patients with AR only. The presence of nasal polyps or concomitant AR in patients with CRS did not show any differentiation in the results. Asthma was associated with significantly worse scores in all the psychometric questionnaires.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Olfactory dysfunction was found to decrease QoL among patients. Anosmia, CRS disease, and asthma as clinical predictors were proved to be independently correlated with QoL, anxiety, and depression levels.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology and Psychiatry, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Katotomichelakis
authors.forename: Efthimios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Simopoulos
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tripsianis
authors.forename: Gerasimos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Danielides
authors.forename: Miltos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Livaditis
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bachert
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Danielides
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications*; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications*; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires