Trends in Olfactory Threshold Test Results and Limits of Olfactory Testing in Patients with Parosmia.

Introduction Parosmia poses a clinical challenge due to a lack of established testing methods, leading to underestimated self-reported symptoms. This study investigates olfactory threshold trends, aiming to highlight parosmia prevalence, analyze threshold patterns, and assess diagnostic potential in current olfactory testing. Methods A total of 407 patients who visited our olfactory clinic from April 2009 to September 2015 were categorized into parosmia and non-parosmia groups based on initial visit questionnaires.

Characteristics of higher depressive tendency in the patients with olfactory disorder.

Objective: Most patients with olfactory dysfunction experience stress and anxiety because of the inconvenience and changes caused by the loss of olfaction. However, psychological assessment is not performed routinely in patients with olfactory dysfunction, and the characteristics of these patients with psychological depression are unclear.

Methods: In this study, we used the Self-rating Depression Scale to evaluate the degree of depression in patients who visited our clinic with olfactory dysfunction and examine the characteristics of these patients with strong depressive tendencies.

Efficacy of Normalising Serum Zinc Level for Patients with Olfactory Dysfunction and Zinc Deficiency.

Introduction: Zinc deficiency may worsen the severity of olfactory dysfunction; however, the relationship between serum zinc levels and therapeutic effects on olfactory dysfunction remains uncertain. This study investigated the relationship between normalising serum zinc levels and the therapeutic effects on olfactory dysfunction.

Methods: Forty-two patients diagnosed with post-infectious, post-traumatic, and idiopathic olfactory dysfunction, with serum zinc levels <70 μg/dL, were included in the study.