Twice-daily application of topical corticosteroids with a squirt system for patients with steroid-responsive olfactory impairment. (1st December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chao, Yun-Ting; Lin, Dai-Lou; Shu, Chih-Hung
• Is Part Of: Acta oto-laryngologica. Volume 136:Number 12(2016)
• Page Start: 1273
• Page End: 1277
• Publication Date: 2016-12-01
• Subjects: Corticosteroid -- olfactory dysfunction -- smell -- steroid responsive anosmia -- Sniffin' Sticks Test -- squirt; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Ear -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Throat -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Electronic Resources; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; 617.8
• DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2016.1203992
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6489

Abstract

Abstract: Conclusion: Twice-daily topical corticosteroid treatment using a squirt system was beneficial in maintaining improvements in olfactory dysfunction which had been achieved by oral steroid treatment. Objectives: Some patients suffering from olfactory dysfunction respond well to corticosteroids. However, maintaining these improvements is challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the maintenance effect of twice-daily topical steroid treatment using a squirt system. Methods: Twenty-two anosmic patients with an increase in odor threshold, discrimination, and identification (TDI) scores in Sniffin' Sticks tests by more than six points after 1-week of oral steroid treatment were enrolled. All the patients used a squirt system to apply topical corticosteroids and were followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months. Results: Nineteen, 16, and 10 patients were followed-up at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment, respectively. All the patients had significant visual analog scale scores improvements compared to pre-treatment. The mean improvements in TDI scores were 9.80 ( p < 0.001), 11.58 ( p = 0.001), and 13.87 ( p = 0.005) after 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment, respectively. The self-rated and objective olfactory function scores were maintained with steroid squirt therapy without significant decline, even in the patients who were followed up for 6 months.