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Objectives: Olfactory dysfunction, a reduced or complete loss of the ability to smell, is gaining attention because of its substantial impact on an individual's quality of life and the possibility that it is an important sign of underlying disease. However, olfactory dysfunction is underdiagnosed in the general population due to diagnostic difficulty and unpredictable prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of clinically diagnosed olfactory dysfunction in South Korea by using well-organized, nationwide, population-based cohort data, and the associations between olfactory dysfunction and risk of neurodegenerative disorders. Methods: We investigated the Korean National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort for patients diagnosed with olfactory dysfunction according to the International Classification of Diseases. Annual and overall incidence and prevalence of olfactory dysfunction during 2003 to 2013 and patient characteristics were analyzed. Based on those identified patients who were later diagnosed with neurodegenerative disorder, hazard ratios (HRs) of sociodemographic factors and comorbidities associated with neurodegenerative disorder were evaluated using a Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results: In total, 6296 patients were clinically diagnosed with olfactory dysfunction during the study period (524.67 patients/year). The prevalence increased annually and was higher in female patients. The incidence of neurodegenerative disorders among patients with olfactory dysfunction was 4.2% within the study period. Multivariate cox regression analysis of the patients (n = 249) revealed that diabetes mellitus (HR = 1.976) and depression (HR = 2.758) were significant risk factors. Conclusions: Olfactory dysfunction is underdiagnosed in South Korea, but it is clinically important considering the possibility of presymptom of neurodegenerative disorders. In clinical practice, we should consider its association with neurodegenerative disorders and possibly other systemic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Several studies have shown a relationship between cigarette smoking and general diseases of the nose in a large Asian population. The current study was conducted to better understand the effect of cigarette smoke exposure on rhinologic diseases in Koreans. Methods Data were obtained from the 2008-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross-sectional survey of the noninstitutionalized population in Korea. Of the 37,753 people surveyed, 11,589 adult participants had completed questionnaires on rhinologic symptoms and smoking behaviors, had undergone nasal endoscopy, and had provided urine collection were enrolled. Rhinologic diseases investigated in this study included subjective olfactory dysfunction, rhinitis symptoms, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and nasal septal deviation with obstructive symptoms. The relationship between disease and cigarette smoking was evaluated using multivariate regression analyses. Results In South Korea, the weighted prevalence of subjective olfactory dysfunction, rhinitis symptoms, CRS, and nasal septal deviation with obstructive symptoms was 4.6%, 27.2%, 6.2%, and 4.0%, respectively. The only disease significantly associated with active smoking was CRS in participants 40 years of age and older after adjusting for age, sex, residency, house income, education, and occupation (adjusted odds ratio = 1.427, 95% confidence interval = 1.050 to 1.938). For each year of active smoking, CRS prevalence increased by 1.5%. None of the rhinologic diseases examined were associated with passive smoking. Conclusion Our study showed that CRS seems to be associated with active smoking in older participants. Considering the relatively high prevalence of CRS in Korea, further longitudinal researches for their association and prevention are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We investigated the relationship between olfactory dysfunction and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in South Korea by using data from the 2010-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES). Methods: Cross-sectional data of 11,972 adults who completed the KNHANES were analyzed. Results: The prevalence of olfactory dysfunction was 5.0% among the population ≥ 19 years of age. Olfactory dysfunction was significantly associated with age, alcohol consumption, waist circumference, job, education level, and rhinitis. Depressed mood for two or more continuous weeks was reported by 19.2% of participants with olfactory dysfunction and 12.8% of participants without olfactory dysfunction (p = 0.0009). Suicidal ideation was reported by 20.5% of participants with olfactory dysfunction and 14.1% of participants without olfactory dysfunction (p < 0.0001). The participants with olfactory dysfunction were at higher risk for depressed mood than were participants without olfactory dysfunction (odds ratio [OR] 1.505 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.106-2.048]) after adjusting for confounders. The participants with olfactory dysfunction were also at higher risk for suicidal ideation (OR 1.306 [95% CI, 1.027-1.662]). Conclusion: In the Korean population, olfactory dysfunction was associated with an increased risk for depressed mood and suicidal ideation. Further epidemiologic and experimental studies are necessary to clarify the impact of olfactory dysfunction on psychological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]