Evaluation of Olfactory Thresholds in Patients of Allergic Rhinitis: Pre and Post Intranasal Steroid Therapy

Abstract

characterized by one or more symptoms, including sneezing,
itching, nasal congestion and rhinorrhoea along with usual
symptoms, and there is generally a decrease in the nasal airflow
therefore decrease in nasal air exchange, thereby decreasing
the rate of olfactory nerve ending stimulation hence decreasing
the perception of smell. We assessed the olfactory thresholds
in patients of allergic rhinitis using n-butanol solutions and the
impact of intranasal fluticasone furoate therapy on olfaction.
Materials and methods: One hundred fifty patients with
allergic rhinitis in the age group of 18 to 65 years were included.
A total of 150 people from the general population as controls.
In 6 weeks of fluticasone furoate nasal spray was administered
for 6 weeks and olfactory threshold changes were observed
at the end.
Results: A significant change in n-butanol olfaction levels after
steroid therapy was observed (p-value < 0.05).
Conclusion: Intranasal steroid therapy shows remarkable
benefit in the improvement of allergic rhinitis and thereby
improving olfaction.