RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of abnormal rhinological findings in a Sjögren's syndrome population. METHODS: A cohort-matched, prospective, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted. Sixty-seven subjects (30 patients and 37 controls) were enrolled. Rhinological assessment including smell threshold was evaluated using a standardised, validated clinical test as part of a larger study. RESULTS: Smell thresholds were -4.4 and -5.4 in the Sjögren's syndrome and control groups, respectively (p = 0.001). Hyposmia (threshold values of less than -4.5) was demonstrated in the Sjögren's syndrome group (47 per cent). Smell was negatively correlated with age (p = 0.040). Nasal septal perforation was noted in 3 Sjögren's syndrome patients (10 per cent) and nasal mucosal dryness in 10 patients (33 per cent), but none of the control group were affected. CONCLUSION: Hyposmia in Sjögren's syndrome was demonstrated using the Smell Threshold Test. Nasal septal perforation and nasal mucosa dryness were also noted in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. A diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome should be considered and investigated in smell deprivation and/or nasal septal perforation patients.
Assuntos
Transtornos do Olfato/etiologia , Síndrome de Sjogren/complicações , Síndrome de Sjogren/diagnóstico , Olfato/fisiologia , Idoso , Anosmia/epidemiologia , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mucosa Nasal/fisiopatologia , Perfuração do Septo Nasal/epidemiologia , Transtornos do Olfato/epidemiologia , Transtornos do Olfato/fisiopatologia , Prevalência , Estudos Prospectivos , Limiar Sensorial , Síndrome de Sjogren/fisiopatologiaRESUMO
Hypogeusia is an uncommon complication of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and few reports in the literature have documented it. Excision of part of the soft palate and damage to the glossopharyngeal nerve or its lingual branch as a result of diathermy or surgery are the possible causes. The case of a 45-year-old male who suffered hypogeusia following UPPP is reported herein. He reported no improvement over a 6-month period. Quantitative assessment of his taste threshold for the 4 basic tastes using taste strips showed a score of 7/18, indicating hypogeusia. The possibility of taste disorder as a postoperative complication should be discussed before patients consent to UPPP Postoperative taste threshold assessment should be done using taste strips if the patient complains of taste disorders.