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Olfactory bulbus volume and olfactory sulcus depth in psychotic patients and patients with anxiety disorder/depression

  • Rhinology
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Abstract

Objectives

In the present study, we investigated olfactory bulb (OB) volume and olfactory sulcus (OS) depth of the psychotic patients (predominantly schizophrenia) and patients with anxiety disorder/depression.

Methods

This study was conducted retrospectively. Group 1 consisted of 30 psychotic patients (predominantly schizophrenia) (19 males and 11 females). Group 2 consisted of 37 patients with anxiety disorder/depression (10 males, 27 females). Group 3 consisted of 30 non-psychotic and non-anxiety disorder/depression subjects (9 males and 21 females). OB volume and OS depth measurements were performed on Cranial MRI.

Results

OB volume (right and left) of the psychotic; and anxiety disorder/depression groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (padjusted < 0.0175). OS depth (Left) value of anxiety disorder/depression group was significantly lower than those of the control group (padjusted < 0.0175). In psychotic and anxiety disorder/depression groups, left OS depth values were significantly lower than those of the right side (p < 0.05). In each of the males and females of the anxiety disorder/depression group, left OS depth values were significantly lower than those of the right side (p < 0.05). In psychotic group, OS depth (left) values get lower in older patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Decreased OB volume in the psychotic patients and decreased OB volume and OS depth in anxiety disorder/depression patients were detected. Lower OB volume and OS depth are related to the olfactory loss/or olfactory impairment. Physicians should be aware of the olfactory deficits in psychotic patients (mainly schizophrenia) and patients with anxiety disorder/depression. When reduced OB volume is detected on MRI, psychosis, schizophrenia or depression should also be kept in mind and the patients should be evaluated in detail for these diseases.

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Funding

There is no financial disclosures of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

NA: Planning, designing, data collection, literature survey. NBM: Planning, designing, literature survey, statistical analysis, writing. MI: Planning, designing, data collection, literature survey. MHŞ: Planning, designing, data collection, literature survey. AD: Planning, designing, literature survey. SVB: Planning, designing, literature survey.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nuray Bayar Muluk.

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Conflict of interest

All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

This study is retrospective. Ethics committee approval was obtained from Kırıkkale University Clinical Researches Ethics committee (Date: 01.10.2018 Number:15/13).

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Asal, N., Bayar Muluk, N., Inal, M. et al. Olfactory bulbus volume and olfactory sulcus depth in psychotic patients and patients with anxiety disorder/depression. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 275, 3017–3024 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-018-5187-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-018-5187-x

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