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Olfactory dysfunction is associated with cognitive impairment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a cross-sectional study

  • Laryngology
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk for olfactory dysfunction. However, the relationship between olfactory function and cognition in OSA patients is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between cognition and olfactory dysfunction (OD) in patients with OSA.

Method

This was a cross-sectional study in which 74 patients with OSA and 22 controls were recruited. All subjects completed polysomnography, Sniffin’ Sticks, and -neurocognitive assessments. According to results of Sniffin’ Sticks, OSA patients were divided into two groups: OSA with OD (53 cases) and OSA without OD (21 cases). Neurocognitive function was assessed by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Memory and Executive Screening (MES), and Shape Trail Test (STT). Cognition was compared between OSA with and without OD. Correlation between olfactory parameters and respiratory sleep parameters and neurocognitive assessments was analyzed.

Results

Compared with OSA without OD, OSA with OD showed significantly decreased neurocognitive scores of MoCA (29–27 vs 27–23, p < 0.01), MES-5R (45–40.1 vs 43–33.5, p < 0.01) and increased consuming time of STT-B (91.66 vs 121.63, p < 0.01). A positive correlation was found between the scores of MoCA and MES-5R and all olfactory parameters. In addition, a negative correlation was present between the time consumed for STT-B and odor thresholds (r = − 0.344, p < 0.01), odor identification (r = − 0.335, p < 0.01), and threshold-discrimination-identification scores (r = − 0.448, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Olfactory function is associated cognitive function in patients with OSA and may provide a new direction for early treatment interventions in OSA patients at risk for cognitive impairment.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the patients and the staff from the Department of Otolaryngology and sleep medical center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, China, who have participated in this study. The authors also thank Dr. Junbo Zhang for proofreading the manuscript.

Funding

This study was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (81870335, 81670903), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Key Program) (82130031), and Capital’s Funds for Health Improvement and Research (2018–2-2065).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Smell and Taste Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 2 Anzhen Road, Beijing, 100029, China

    Jiajia Dong, Haili Sun & Yongxiang Wei

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, No.2 Yabao Road, Beijing, 100045, China

    Xiaojun Zhan & Yongxiang Wei

  3. Department of Sleep Medical Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 2 Anzhen Road, Beijing, 100029, China

    Fang Fang

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  1. Jiajia Dong
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  2. Xiaojun Zhan
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  4. Fang Fang
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  5. Yongxiang Wei
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Contributions

JD designed the experimental apparatus, discussed the results and implications, and commented on the manuscript at all stages. JD performed the experiments. The research direction was provided by YW and XZ. HS and FF helped check the English.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yongxiang Wei.

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Conflict of interests

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethics approval

The Medical Ethics Committee of Beijing Anzhen Hospital (No. 2017063X) approved this study.

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All participants gave their informed consent before their enrollment.

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Dong, J., Zhan, X., Sun, H. et al. Olfactory dysfunction is associated with cognitive impairment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a cross-sectional study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 279, 1979–1987 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-07194-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-07194-6

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