[Olfactory alterations in allergic rhinitis to pollens and mites]. / Alteraciones olfativas en las rinitis alérgicas a pólenes y ácaros.

INTRODUCTION: In the last 80 years, the presence of allergies has increased among Europeans from 0.28% to 14.2%. Allergic rhinitis is the main presentation, rising from 18% to 40% of cases. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that allergic rhinitis due to pollen and mites has an effect on the olfactory system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We describe the impairment of olfactory function in two groups of individuals with allergic rhinitis due to mites or pollen (n = 76; 42 with allergy to pollen [48.9%], and 34 with allergy to mites [39%]), compared with a group of healthy volunteers (n = 120). Olfactory ability was measured by the BAST-24 (Barcelona Smell Test) olfactometer comprising 20 odours tested by the forced choice method to compare the levels of odour detection (knowing if there is odour in the environment), and efficacy (identifying what was smelt). RESULTS: The results show firstly that people with allergic rhinitis have a clear, definitive, and significant impairment (P >.05) in olfactory levels; secondly, there is a tendency towards greater olfactory loss in the case of people with pollen-related allergic rhinitis than in those allergic to mites; and thirdly, the different odours are affected differently in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: We propose consideration of the study of olfactory status in the assessment of patients with allergic rhinitis.

Alteraciones olfativas en las rinitis alérgicas a pólenes y ácaros / Olfactory alterations in allergic rhinitis to pollens and mites

Introducción: En los últimos 80 años, las alergias han pasado de afectar al 0,28 % al 14,2 % de la población europea. La rinitis alérgica es la principal de todas ellas con un progreso que va de un 18 a un 40 %. El objetivo de este trabajo es demostrar que la rinitis alérgica por pólenes o ácaros reduce las capacidades olfativas. Material y métodos: Se describe el estado olfativo de dos grupos de personas con rinitis alérgica a polen o ácaros (n = 76): alérgicos al polen, 42 (48,9 %) casos; alérgicos a ácaros 34 (39 %). La exploración del olfato se realiza con el olfatómetro BAST-24 (Barcelona Smell Test), constituido por 20 olores controlados por el método de respuesta forzada, para valor la capacidad de percibir un olor (detección) y la eficacia olfativa (identificar correctamente el olor percibido). Estos resultados se comparan con los obtenidos en un grupo control de voluntarios sanos (n = 120). Resultados: El estudio muestra: a) que en los dos tipos de rinitis alérgica hay un deterioro claro, definitivo y significativo (p > 0,05) del olfato, y b) que las personas con rinitis alérgica a pólenes presentan una tendencia de mayor pérdida olfativa que aquellas con rinitis alérgica a ácaros, y que los distintos olores se afectan de forma distinta según el tipo de rinitis alérgica se padezca. Conclusiones: Se propone que se tenga en cuenta el estudio del estado olfativo en la valoración de las rinitis (AU)

Introduction: In the last 80 years, the presence of allergies has increased among Europeans from 0.28 % to 14.2 %. Allergic rhinitis is the main presentation, rising from 18% to 40 % of cases. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that allergic rhinitis due to pollen and mites has an effect on the olfactory system. Material and methods: We describe the impairment of olfactory function in two groups of individuals with allergic rhinitis due to mites or pollen (n = 76; 42 with allergy to pollen [48.9 %], and 34 with allergy to mites [39 %]), compared with a group of healthy volunteers (n = 120). Olfactory ability was measured by the BAST-24 (Barcelona Smell Test) olfactometer comprising 20 odours tested by the forced choice method to compare the levels of odour detection (knowing if there is odour in the environment), and efficacy (identifying what was smelt). Results: The results show firstly that people with allergic rhinitis have a clear, definitive, and significant impairment (P >.05) in olfactory levels; secondly, there is a tendency towards greater olfactory loss in the case of people with pollen-related allergic rhinitis than in those allergic to mites; and thirdly, the different odours are affected differently in the 2 groups. Conclusions: We propose consideration of the study of olfactory status in the assessment of patients with allergic rhinitis (AU)