The Olfactory Function Schizophrenia Patients And It’s Correlation With Clinical Outcome

Objective: This study assessed olfactory threshold as well as smell identification and smell discrimination of patients with schizophrenia and normal controls to explore the difference of them. Through the analyses of treatment of patients with schizophrenia to explore the relationship between olfactory dysfunction and therapeutic effects, this study was aimed to explore whether there was relatives between olfactory function and therapeutic effect of patients with schizophrenia.Methods: The Subjects consisted of 50 patients with schizophrenia(25 males and 25 females)and 53 healthy controls(27 males and 26 females)with age from 18 to 50 years, the average age was 38.36±7.59 years for patients with schizophrenia, and 37.73±7.65 years for healthy controls. The Sniffin’ Sticks test, a comprehensive and standardized olfactory test including olfactory threshold(THR), odor discrimination(DIS), and odor identification(ID), was employed to assess the olfactory function of all the subjects. The patients use atypical antipsychotic drug risperidone 4-6mg / day for treatment, conduct PANSS rating scale before treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment.Results: The main diagnosis effect was significant for olfactory threshold(THR)(F=19.36, p<0.001). Post hoc tests revealed that THR was significantly lower in patients than in healthy controls(p<0.001).The main diagnosis effect was significant for odor discrimination(DIS)(F=26.40, p<0.001). Post hoc tests revealed that DIS was significantly lower in patients than in healthy controls(p<0.001). The main diagnosiseffect was significant for odor identification(ID)(F=19.91,p<0.001), post hoc tests revealed that ID was significantly lower in patients than in healthy controls(p<0.001). According to the Pearson’s test, There was a significant correlation between TDI of patients and their PANSS scale reduced rate, TDI and ID was positively correlated the PANSS score reduction.Conclusion: 1. Schizophrenia patients had comprehensive olfactory deficits.2.There is a significant correlation between the score of olfactory function in patients with schizophrenia and their treatment effect. 3. O lfactory function test can predict the therapeutic effect in patients with schizophrenia in a way.