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Odor Identification Testing Can Assist in the Clinical Distinction Between Psychiatric Disorders and Neurological/Neurodegenerative Disorders.
- Source :
-
Alzheimer disease and associated disorders [Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord] 2021 Jul-Sep 01; Vol. 35 (3), pp. 244-249. - Publication Year :
- 2021
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Abstract
- Background/objectives: The aim was to identify whether performance on olfactory identification can distinguish neurological/neurodegenerative disorders (NNDs) from primary psychiatric disorders (PPDs).<br />Methods: This is a cross-sectional retrospective study of inpatients assessed in Neuropsychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital. Data extracted from the admission records included: demographics, tobacco use, medical comorbidities, cognitive function using the Neuropsychiatry Unit Cognitive Assessment Tool (NUCOG), and odor identification using the Sniffin' Sticks Screening 12 test. The final diagnosis for patients was informed by established diagnostic criteria.<br />Results: A total 121 patients were included. Eighty-eight patients (73%) were diagnosed with neurological or neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimers dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body parkinsonian-related dementias (Parkinson disease, multiple system atrophy, dementia with Lewy bodies) and other neurological causes of dementia; 33 patients (27%) were diagnosed with PPDs (including mood and psychotic disorders). Patients who scored ≤8 on the Sniffin' Sticks Screening 12 test were more likely to have NND than PPD, even after adjustment for age, sex and tobacco use (P=0.009, adjusted odds ratios=3.85, 95% confidence interval=1.40-10.62). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses demonstrated that a score of ≤8 differentiated NND from PPD with sensitivity of 57% and specificity of 73% (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve of 0.67, P=0.004).<br />Conclusions: Patients with neuropsychiatric difficulties who score 8 or less on Sniffin' Sticks are more likely to have a neurodegenerative illness. A cut-off score of 8 is potentially a "red flag" for clinicians faced with the diagnostic question of PPD versus NND.<br />Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.<br /> (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Alzheimer Disease diagnosis
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Frontotemporal Dementia diagnosis
Humans
Lewy Body Disease diagnosis
Male
Middle Aged
Parkinson Disease diagnosis
Retrospective Studies
Mass Screening
Neurodegenerative Diseases diagnosis
Odorants
Psychotic Disorders diagnosis
Smell physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1546-4156
- Volume :
- 35
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Alzheimer disease and associated disorders
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33769989
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1097/WAD.0000000000000441