gms | German Medical Science

77. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie e. V.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie e. V.

24.05. - 28.05.2006, Mannheim

Changes in olfactory function in patients with post-infectious and post-traumatic smell disorders before and after treatment with vitamin A: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Meeting Abstract

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  • corresponding author presenting/speaker Katja Lill - Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Dresden, Germany
  • Jens Reden - Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Dresden, Germany
  • Thomas Hummel - Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Dresden, Germany

German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. 77th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Mannheim, 24.-28.05.2006. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2006. Doc06hno058

Die elektronische Version dieses Artikels ist vollständig und ist verfügbar unter: http://www.egms.de/de/meetings/hno2006/06hno058.shtml

Veröffentlicht: 7. September 2006

© 2006 Lill et al.
Dieser Artikel ist ein Open Access-Artikel und steht unter den Creative Commons Lizenzbedingungen (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.de). Er darf vervielfältigt, verbreitet und öffentlich zugänglich gemacht werden, vorausgesetzt dass Autor und Quelle genannt werden.


Gliederung

Text

Introduction: The presented data is based on a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial for investigation on effectiveness of vitamin A in post-infectious and post-traumatic smell disorders. The effect is probably based on the stimulation of regeneration and repair of the peripheral olfactory system.

Material and methods: A total of 60 patients (age: 20-70 years, mean age: 52 years) participated 26 of whom received placebo (7 male, 19 female) and another 26 verum (6 male, 20 female). A standardized history was obtained in each patient. Olfactory function was measured by means of the “Sniffin’Sticks“ test kit, a validated technique to investigate odor tresholds, odor discrimination, and odor identification. Vitamin A was prescribed at a dose of 10.000 I.U./d for 3 months. Follow-up testing was performed on average 5 months after the first investigation.

Results: Forty-four percent of all patients reported subjective recovery of their sense of smell; 27% of the participants exhibited significant improvement in measured olfactory function (improvement in TDI-score ≥ 6). However, there was no significant difference between the outcome of patients receiving verum or placebo.

Conclusion: The application of vitamin A at a dose of 10.000 I.U./d for 3 months does not appear to be useful in the therapy of olfactory loss.