Background: Viral rhinitis (the "common" cold) is a frequent worldwide disease. Olfactory dysfunction is one complication that arises during infection, which in most cases heals up spontaneously upon recovery, whereas in some cases it may persist as a partial or total loss of olfaction. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the change of other chemosensory systems during a cold.
Methods: Fifty-eight patients (age 18 to 69 years) with an acute cold were compared to a healthy control group (n = 59; age 19 to 63 years). All patients were examined on 2 occasions separated by approximately 4 weeks. Orthonasal, retronasal, gustatory, and trigeminal nasal function were investigated. Furthermore, ratings of real foods, in terms of intensity and pleasantness, were obtained.
Results: Compared to the control group, patients showed a decreased orthonasal (threshold and discrimination) and retronasal function. Furthermore, patients exhibited a decreased sensitivity to salt and a reduced ability to localize menthol, indicating a decreased taste and trigeminal function, respectively. Upon recovery from the infection, orthonasal olfactory and trigeminal sensitivity increased, whereas retronasal sensitivity showed no improvement and salt sensitivity decreased.
Conclusion: This comprehensive study provides empirical evidence that chemosensory impairment is prevalent during a cold, and additionally shows for the first time that chemosensory features associated with food consumption persist postinfection.
Keywords: quality of life; sinusitis; smell; taste; trigeminal nerve.
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