Nasal health in Down syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

To investigate peripheral nasal pathology as a contributor to olfactory impairment in DS. Twenty DS and 16 non-DS subjects were recruited. Nasal history and symptoms were assessed by self-report or informant. Olfactory threshold, odor identification, and nasal endoscopy were assessed on each subject. DS subjects were impaired on olfactory threshold (P<0.0001) and odor identification (P<0.001). Although DS subjects tended toward upper-respiratory infections, sleep-disordered breathing, and nasal itching, differences were not significant (P=0.07, 0.06, and 0.058, respectively). There were no significant differences on self-reported nasal history or symptoms. Endoscopy showed equivalent health in DS and control subjects. This DS population shows olfactory impairment. However, nasal health is comparable in DS subjects and controls. Nasal dysfunction is unlikely to contribute to olfactory impairment in DS. Olfactory deficits in DS appear to be secondary to central, rather than rhinologic, pathology. B-2b.