Contributions
Abstract: P1127
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Biomarkers
Background: It has been previously reported, that olfactory threshold is impaired in early, active multiple sclerosis (MS) and that impaired odour identification is associated with disease duration. However, prospective longitudinal data on this matter are lacking.
Objective: To prospectively investigate the course of different qualities of olfactory function in relapsing-onset MS (ROMS) and correlate these with clinical data to assess a potential association with course of disease.
Methods: In this prospective, 5-year-follow-up study, 28 patients with ROMS were included. Olfactory function was measured by the Sniffin" Sticks test which quantifies three different qualities of olfactory function (threshold, discrimination and identification). Results were correlated with age, sex, duration of disease, relapses, expanded disability status scale (EDSS), depression, smoking, quality of life and cognitive function quantified by the single-digit modality test (SDMT). Mixed effect linear regression models were calculated to address for confounders.
Results: Olfactory threshold and odour identification both decreased over the 5-year observation period, while odour discrimination remained stable. Threshold decreased stronger and was significantly lower in patients with 3 or more relapses (4.3±1.9 vs. 6.0±1.7; p=0.031). On the other hand, odour identification was significantly lower in patients with an EDSS of 2,5 or higher (11.2±2.3 vs. 13.5±1.4; p=0.004) and with cognitive dysfunction (11.2±2.8 vs. 13.4±1.5; p=0.039). These findings remained significant in mixed effect linear regression models correcting for age, sex, disease duration, smoking habit and depression.
Conclusions: We report the first prospective, longitudinal study on the development of olfactory function over time in ROMS. We found evidence that olfactory threshold is a marker of disease activity, while odour identification is associated with male sex, longer disease duration, higher disability and cognitive dysfunction. While these results definitely have to be interpreted cautiously, olfactory threshold and identification might be useful as safe and easily obtainable parameters for monitoring both inflammation and neurodegeneration in MS.
Disclosure: G Bsteh, A Lutterotti, L Brendli, M Vedovello, M Reindl and T Berger: nothing to disclose.
Abstract: P1127
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Biomarkers
Background: It has been previously reported, that olfactory threshold is impaired in early, active multiple sclerosis (MS) and that impaired odour identification is associated with disease duration. However, prospective longitudinal data on this matter are lacking.
Objective: To prospectively investigate the course of different qualities of olfactory function in relapsing-onset MS (ROMS) and correlate these with clinical data to assess a potential association with course of disease.
Methods: In this prospective, 5-year-follow-up study, 28 patients with ROMS were included. Olfactory function was measured by the Sniffin" Sticks test which quantifies three different qualities of olfactory function (threshold, discrimination and identification). Results were correlated with age, sex, duration of disease, relapses, expanded disability status scale (EDSS), depression, smoking, quality of life and cognitive function quantified by the single-digit modality test (SDMT). Mixed effect linear regression models were calculated to address for confounders.
Results: Olfactory threshold and odour identification both decreased over the 5-year observation period, while odour discrimination remained stable. Threshold decreased stronger and was significantly lower in patients with 3 or more relapses (4.3±1.9 vs. 6.0±1.7; p=0.031). On the other hand, odour identification was significantly lower in patients with an EDSS of 2,5 or higher (11.2±2.3 vs. 13.5±1.4; p=0.004) and with cognitive dysfunction (11.2±2.8 vs. 13.4±1.5; p=0.039). These findings remained significant in mixed effect linear regression models correcting for age, sex, disease duration, smoking habit and depression.
Conclusions: We report the first prospective, longitudinal study on the development of olfactory function over time in ROMS. We found evidence that olfactory threshold is a marker of disease activity, while odour identification is associated with male sex, longer disease duration, higher disability and cognitive dysfunction. While these results definitely have to be interpreted cautiously, olfactory threshold and identification might be useful as safe and easily obtainable parameters for monitoring both inflammation and neurodegeneration in MS.
Disclosure: G Bsteh, A Lutterotti, L Brendli, M Vedovello, M Reindl and T Berger: nothing to disclose.