Relationship between progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus and olfactory function.

Objectives: In the literature, diabetes mellitus was mentioned as one of the etiologic factors of olfactory disorder. However, association between olfactory dysfunction and complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine if there is any correlation between olfactory dysfunction and complications of diabetes mellitus.

Methods: The study population included eighty-five (85) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (56 females and 29 males, mean age 55.4 ± 9.4 years). The routine laboratory and ophthalmoscope examinations were used in the study. The Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center odor test was performed to all patients. Patients were grouped (normal, anosmia, mild hyposmia, moderate hyposmia, severe hyposmia) in respect to olfactory function.

Result: Distribution of the patients was 34.1% male (29) and 65.9% female (56). Mean Hemoglobin A1c value was 9.0 ± 2.7. The distribution of complications was 38.8% nephropathy, 25.9% retinopathy, 24.7% microalbuminuria. In Odor Test classification, statistically significant difference was not detected in nephropathy, retinopathy and microalbuminuria ratios (p = 0.523, p = 0.057, p = 0.993).

Conclusions: This study revealed that in odor test classification, statistically significant difference was not detected between the patients with complications (nephropathy, retinopathy, and microalbuminuria) and the patients without complications.