Evaluation of olfactory functions in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux

Objective: To evaluate olfactory functions in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux. Methods: The study consisted of control and reflux groups. Each group consisted of 50 patients. Reflux group received the diagnosis of reflux based on reflux symptom index, and reflux symptom scores. The olfactory test of Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) was conducted on these 2 groups, and the results were compared. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the demographic characteristics such as gender and smoking rates while there was statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age variable. The covariance analysis was used to eliminate the effect of age variable. The mean scores calculated after covariance analysis were compared. It is known that the higher score of CCCRC test is 7 points. Accordingly, CCCRC scores of the control and reflux groups were 5.84± 0.13, and 5.20±0.11, respectively. This difference between two groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease has a negative effect on olfactory functions without total loss in olfactory functions.