The QOD proved to be a valid, reliable, and easy-to-use method of assessment of olfaction-related QoL with high specificity and sensitivity.

The aim of the study was to investigate age-related changes in electrogustometry (EGM) thresholds, in morphology and density of the fungiform papillae (fPap) and in vessels' shape and density at the tip of the human tongue.In 156 nonsmokers (74 males, 82 females; age range: 10-80 years), divided in age groups, EGM thresholds at the chorda tympani area, at the soft palate area, and at the area of the vallate papillae were recorded bilaterally. Morphology and density of the fPap and blood vessels' density and morphology at the tip of the tongue were examined using contact endoscopy (CE). EGM thresholds at the chorda tympani area were significantly higher in both men and women ←60 years of age than in younger individuals. At the soft-palatine area, EGM thresholds were significantly higher in men aged 20-29 years and ←60 years compared with men of other age groups. In women older than 50 years, thresholds at all 3 areas were significantly higher than in the younger age groups. No significant differences in EGM thresholds between the two sexes at all locations tested were detected. The density of fPap decreased significantly in men aged >50 years and in women aged >60 years compared with younger individuals. Vascular density decreased significantly and vascular morphology worsened at the tip of the tongue in subjects older than 60 years of age compared with younger subjects. The study showed statistically significant differences in EGM thresholds between the right and the left side of the tongue and between the two sexes. Aging is associated with a progressive increase in EGM thresholds. Density of fPap plays an important role for taste acuity in females aged >60 years and males aged ←50 years. Morphology of fPap and vessels' density and morphology at the tip of the tongue, as tested by CE, emerge as factors influencing taste function in subjects of both sexes aged >60 years.

The purpose of this prospective study was to test whether intratympanic application of dexamethasone/hyaluronic acid improves hearing outcome in patients with pantonal idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL), in patients with sudden deafness or sudden profound SHL and in patients with predominant high-frequency ISSHL who are refractory to intravenous steroid and vasoactive therapy. The study took place in an academic tertiary referral hospital involving 21 patients with pantonal ISSHL, 10 patients with sudden deafness or sudden profound SHL and 9 patients with a high-frequency ISSHL. Intratympanic dexamethasone/hyaluronic acid was administered in the affected ear. Hearing was evaluated by means of standard pure-tone audiometry. The differences between pure-tone hearing thresholds by air conduction before intravenous therapy and before the beginning of the intratympanic therapy, as well as before and after intratympanic therapy, were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed by means of the Wilcoxon's test for paired samples. Intratympanic injection of dexamethasone/hyaluronic acid results in a significant global (pantonal) improvement in hearing in patients with pantonal ISSHL. It also effects improvement in hearing at selected frequencies (namely at 1.5 and 3 kHz) in patients with a predominant high-frequency ISSHL and at selected frequencies (namely at 0.5, 0.75 and 1 kHz) in patients with sudden deafness or sudden profound SHL. Neither systemic nor local side effects were observed. Intratympanic administration of dexamethasone/hyaluronic acid provides a safe and efficacious therapeutic option for the treatment of patients with pantonal and high-frequency ISSHL who don't respond to intravenous steroid and vasoactive therapy.

Objectives Our primary goal was to evaluate the effect of stimulus duration on electrogustometry (EGM) thresholds. Additionally, we sought to evaluate any sex‐related influences and compare the above results to those of taste strips. Design Electrogustometry thresholds of various stimulus durations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 seconds) were measured in 212 non‐smokers (age range: 10‐80 years, divided into eight age‐groups) without self‐reported gustatory impairment. Furthermore, taste strips chemogustometry measurements in 132 participants were performed. Setting Tertiary referral medical centre. Participants 212 non‐smokers, divided into eight age‐groups participated in the study. Main outcome measures Electrogustometry thresholds and taste strips, duration of EGM stimuli. Results Electrogustometry thresholds increased progressively with age and with stimulus duration from 0.5 to 2 seconds. This pattern was consistent in all six anatomic areas, irrespective of sex. In contrast, when using chemogustometry, no age‐ or sex‐related differences were observed. Conclusions Electrogustometry‐threshold values increase progressively with age and with stimulus duration. Therefore, we recommend documenting stimulus duration in the future EGM recordings as it may significantly affect EGM amplitude threshold values.

We evaluated olfactory dysfunction in 154 adults (74 men, mean age 60.9±11.9 years), of whom 119 had type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Olfactory function was assessed with "Sniffin' Sticks." A total Threshold-Discrimination-Identification (TDI) score was calculated. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were associated with lower olfactory scores (all TDI scores<0.001). Age was negatively associated with odor threshold, odor identification, and TDI score (P=.009, <.001, and <.001, respectively). After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking, alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease, only T2DM and hypertension were associated with TDI score (R square=0.281). Diabetic complications were associated with olfactory dysfunction (P=.006): TDI scores were lower in the presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (P=.017) and retinopathy (P=.047). In conclusion, T2DM and hypertension are independently associated with olfactory dysfunction while diabetic peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy are significantly associated with lower olfactory scores. The clinical relevance of these findings needs to be further examined.