Olfactory Disorders in HIV Positive Patients

Abstract

Objective: Chemosensory disorder in HIV-infected patients can lead to lack of intake and subsequently malnutrition, weight loss, and wasting. In this study we aimed to evaluate the prevalence and probable associated factors of olfactory disorder in HIV-positive patients.

Method: This case-control study was conducted in Tehran, Imam Khomeini Hospital on 70 HIV-positive patients and 70 control subjects in 2011. Variables of age, gender, route of transmission, duration of infection, last CD4 count, opportunistic infection, drug history, HCV concurrent infection, patient’s self-evaluation of his own olfactory function, and threshold test were extracted and evaluated.

Results: Male to female ratio in case and control groups was 0.89 and 1.69, respectively. Age was 43 ± 15 years and 35 ± 7 years in case and control groups, respectively. Case groups showed a significant lower result in threshold test scores, considering smoking cofounder effect. Independent variables of gender, antiretroviral therapy, and duration of infection have significant effect on threshold test scores.

Conclusion: Olfactory threshold test disorders are common in HIV-positive patients. Age, gender, and smoking are probably effective on threshold test scores. CD4 count most likely does not have effect on threshold test. Recommendation on the effect of antiretroviral-therapy, duration of infection, route of transmission, opportunistic infection and HCV co-infection needs further investigations.