Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2002 Oct;45(10):975-979.

The Effect of Hemodialysis on the Olfactory Function in Chronic Renal Failure Patients

• Kim JK
• Lim CH
• Nam TW
• Jo YI
• Shin SK

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The sense of smell plays an important role in the quality of life. Loss of smell is common in the elderly and it results from respiratory diseases, certain disease states (Alzheimer disease, chronic renal failure (CRF), multiple sclerosis), medications, and surgical interventions. Many studies have shown a declining odor perception in the CRF patients. The objectives of the present study were to test odor identification ability in patients with CRF and the effect of hemodialysis on olfactory recognition, and to examine the possible correlations between smell identification test score and various clinical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We performed a case-control study comparing the Cross- Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT) scores of CRF patients with hemodialysis, and those without hemodialysis, and age-sex matched healthy controls.
RESULTS
Healthy controls had significantly high CC-SIT scores compared to those of CRF patients without hemodialysis. No significant differences were observed in the CC-SIT scores between CRF patients with hemodialysis and healthy controls and in CRF patients before and after the hemodialysis session. No significant positive correlation was found between CC-SIT score and creatinine clearance in the dialysis group.
CONCLUSION
Acute removal of uremic toxins by hemodialysis does not correct olfactory disturbances. Odor perception is severly impaired in patients with CRF and is related to the degree of renal impairment.

Keyword

Smell; Renal dialysis; Kidney; Failure, chronic

MeSH Terms

Aged
Case-Control Studies
Creatinine
Dialysis
Humans
Identification (Psychology)
Kidney
Kidney Failure, Chronic*
Odors
Quality of Life
Renal Dialysis*
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
Smell
Creatinine