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Abstract: Objective: Although risk factors for olfactory dysfunction in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have been examined, most studies did not distinguish between classified eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) and noneosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (NECRS). The incidence of eosinophilic disease in Japan differs from that in the West. Thus, when olfaction in CRS is investigated, ECRS and NECRS should be examined separately. In the present study, we examined the clinical characteristics associated with olfactory dysfunction in Japanese patients with ECRS and NECRS enrolled in a large multicenter, prospective cohort study. Methods: Olfactory examination results, demographic data, clinical factors, and comorbidity data were analyzed for 418 patients with CRS at 3 tertiary care centers. We used T&T olfactometry, intravenous olfactory test (the Alinamin test) and Likert scale to assess subjects’ olfactory function. Data were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Olfactory dysfunction was more severe and more prevalent in ECRS than in NECRS. We found that olfactory cleft polyps (odds ratio [OR], 3.24), ethmoid opacification (OR, 2.64), asthma (OR, 2.29), current smoking (OR, 1.74) and age ≥50 years (OR, 1.66) were associated with olfactory dysfunction in CRS. Ethmoid opacification (OR, 3.09) and olfactory cleft polyps (OR, 3.05) were associated with olfactory dysfunction in NECRS. Olfactory cleft polyps (OR, 3.98), current smoking (OR, 2.67), IgE ≥400IU/ml (OR, 2.65), ethmoid opacification (OR, 2.51), and asthma (OR, 2.34) were associated with olfactory dysfunction in ECRS. Conclusions: Olfactory dysfunction was more severe and prevalent in ECRS than in NECRS. Physician should pay attention to these clinical findings to diagnose olfactory dysfunction, especially in ECRS, and should provide appropriate explanation, guidance, and care. In addition, smokers should be advised to stop smoking to help prevent olfactory dysfunction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There has been an increase of attention and awareness of smell and taste loss due to the impact of COVID-19. However, little is known about the influence of COVID-19 on the number of psychophysical tests performed, the timing of these tests, or the protection protocols employed to protect against virus transmission. This study aimed to explore the changes in examination approaches, types of tests employed, and safety measures adopted by clinicians before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey was distributed to 404 institutes of the Oto-Rhino Laryngological Society of Japan, consisting of otolaryngologists working in university hospitals, general hospitals, and private clinics. The anonymous online survey contained questions related to safety measures and chemosensory assessments performed before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, participants were queried on the number and types of examinations conducted, the type of examiners who performed them, the timing of tests in suspected and non-suspected COVID-19 cases, modifications made due to the pandemic, and the protective measures adopted during chemosensory examinations. Of the 201 respondents, representing a 50 % response rate, 49 % were from general hospitals, 48 % from university hospitals, and 3 % from private clinics. The study found a slight decrease in the overall number of chemosensory tests conducted post-COVID-19. In terms of who performed the test, there were no differences pre- and post- COVID-19. Most examinations (52–68 %) for suspected COVID-19 cases were performed 1–2 months after the onset of symptoms. Modifications in testing rooms and personal protective equipment (PPE) were reported by the majority of institutions post-pandemic. While different examination rooms or PPE were not commonly used based on a patient's previous COVID-19 diagnosis, changes were observed in testing practices. Most examinations were conducted in rooms with windows or fans, and PPE usage was high; surgical masks, eye visors or face shields, and disposable gloves being commonly used. Virus transmission from patient to examiner was reported in only one case during T&T olfactometer examination. We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of olfactory and gustatory tests performed, the type of examiner, the examination room, and the use of PPE and found no significant difference before and after the COVID-19 pandemic on these factors. Adherence to a protection protocol involving the proper use of PPE in controlled environments enabled the continuation of olfactory and gustatory tests during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a relatively rare genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 in 20,000 people. Approximately 50 genes are currently known to cause PCD. In light of differences in causative genes and the medical system in Japan compared with other countries, a practical guide was needed for the diagnosis and management of Japanese PCD patients. An ad hoc academic committee was organized under the Japanese Rhinologic Society to produce a practical guide, with participation by committee members from several academic societies in Japan. The practical guide including diagnostic criteria for PCD was approved by the Japanese Rhinologic Society, Japanese Society of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Japanese Respiratory Society, and Japanese Society of Pediatric Pulmonology. The diagnostic criteria for PCD consist of six clinical features, six laboratory findings, differential diagnosis, and genetic testing. The diagnosis of PCD is categorized as definite, probable, or possible PCD based on a combination of the four items above. Diagnosis of definite PCD requires exclusion of cystic fibrosis and primary immunodeficiency, at least one of the six clinical features, and a positive result for at least one of the following: (1) Class 1 defect on electron microscopy of cilia, (2) pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in a PCD-related gene, or (3) impairment of ciliary motility that can be repaired by correcting the causative gene variants in iPS cells established from the patient's peripheral blood cells. This practical guide provides clinicians with useful information for the diagnosis and management of PCD in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular plastic surgery techniques. The evaluation of both functional and cosmetic aspects of rhinoplasty is essential for planning and assessing surgery results. The Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (SCHNOS) is a validated questionnaire used to assess both functional and aesthetic symptoms in patients with nasal problems, and it has been translated into several languages. The purpose of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the SCHNOS in Japanese among patients undergoing rhinoplasty., Methods: This was a prospective validation study of the Japanese version of the SCHNOS (J-SCHNOS). The first phase involved translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the SCHNOS. The second phase included validation of the J-SCHNOS among native Japanese speakers., Results: In total, 357 participants completed the final version of the J-SCHNOS (219 males and 138 females; mean age 43.4 years). The J-SCHNOS showed high internal consistency with excellent Cronbach's alpha values for both obstruction (SCHNOS-O) (0.96) and cosmetic (SCHNOS-C) (0.93) domains. The reproducibility was high, with an excellent intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) >0.9 for all items. Exploratory factor analysis showed unidimensional structures in both the SCHNOS-O and the SCHNOS-C., Conclusion: The J-SCHNOS is a reliable and valid tool to assess the severity of nasal problems in patients undergoing rhinoplasty., (Copyright © 2024 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: Olfactory impairment as a prodromal symptom, as well as sarcopenia, frailty and dependence as geriatric syndromes, is often associated with cognitive decline in older adults with progression of Alzheimer's disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the associations of olfactory and cognitive decline with these geriatric syndromes, and with structural changes of the brain in older adults., Methods: The participants were 135 older adults (47 men and 88 women, mean age 79.5 years), consisting of 64 with normal cognition, 23 with mild cognitive impairment and 48 with Alzheimer's disease. Olfactory function was evaluated by the Open Essence odor identification test. Shrinkage of the regional brain was determined by magnetic resonance imaging., Results: Logistic regression analysis with Open Essence, Mini-Mental State Examination, age and sex as covariates showed higher olfactory-cognitive index (|coefficient for Open Essence (a) / coefficient for Mini-Mental State Examination (b)|) in participants with sarcopenia (Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia), and lower values of (|a/b|) in participants with Barthel Index dependence, Kihon Checklist frailty, Lawton Index dependence and support/care-need certification as objective variables. Logistic regression analysis adjusted by age and sex also showed significant shrinkage of the frontal lobe in participants with AWGS sarcopenia, especially in women, and shrinkage of the medial temporal areas and global brain in participants with Kihon Checklist frailty/dependence., Conclusions: Olfactory-cognitive index (|a/b|) might be a useful tool to distinguish involvement of frontal lobe shrinkage, as in sarcopenia from shrinkage of the medial temporal areas, and global brain, as in frailty/dependence, in older adults with progression of normal cognition to Alzheimer's disease. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; ••: ••-••., (© 2021 The Authors. Geriatrics & Gerontology International published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japan Geriatrics Society.)