Background: Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). We previously identified several cytokines potentially linked to smell loss, potentially supporting an inflammatory etiology for CRSassociated olfactory dysfunction. In the current study we sought to validate pa erns of olfactory dysfunction in CRS using hierarchical cluster analysis, machine learning algorithms, and multivariate regression.Methods: CRS patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery were administered the Smell Identification Test (SIT) preoperatively. Mucus was collected from the middle meatus using an absorbent polyurethane sponge and 17 inflammatory mediators were assessed using a multiplexed flow-cytometric bead assay. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to characterize inflammatory patterns and their association with SIT scores. The random forest approach was used to identify cytokines predictive of olfactory function.
Results:One hundred ten patients were enrolled in the study. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified 5 distinct CRS clusters with statistically significant differences in SIT scores observed between individual clusters (p < 0.001). A majority of anosmic patients were found in a single cluster, which was additionally characterized by nasal polyposis (100%) and a high incidence of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (50%) and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) (33%). A random forest approach identified a strong association between olfaction and the cytokines interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13. Multivariate modeling identified AERD, computed tomography (CT) score, and IL-2 as the variables most predictive of olfactory function.
Conclusion:Olfactory dysfunction is associated with specific CRS endotypes characterized by severe nasal polyposis, tissue eosinophilia, and AERD. Mucus IL-2 levels, CT score, and AERD were independently associated with smell loss. C 2018 ARS-AAOA, LLC.
How to Cite thisArticle: Morse JC, Shilts MH, Ely KA, et al. Pa erns of olfactory dysfunction in chronic rhinosinusitis identified by hierarchical cluster analysis and machine learning algorithms. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019;9:255-264.O lfactory dysfunction is among the most common symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitus (CRS) with a prevalence of between 30% and 80%. 1, 2 Unfortunately, the etiology of CRS-associated olfactory dysfunction remains poorly understood. Olfactory loss in CRS has previously been attributed to an inability of odorants to effectively reach the olfactory cleft, due either to structural abnormalities or presence of nasal polyps. 3, 4 Recent research has suggested that sinonasal inflammation may directly or indirectly affect olfactory neurons and olfactory function. 5 In animal models, certain cytokines have the ability to adversely affect olfactory neuron function, turnover, and regeneration. 5-8 An association between olfactory cleft cytokine levels and olfactory function has been partially