History of smoking and olfaction in Parkinson's disease

Mov Disord. 2014 Jul;29(8):1069-74. doi: 10.1002/mds.25912. Epub 2014 May 16.

Abstract

Objective: Olfactory dysfunction is the most common pre-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD), and smoking is known to be associated with lower risk of PD. This study tested the hypothesis that smoking is associated with better olfaction in PD.

Methods: Smoking history was obtained from 76 PD subjects (22 with a history of smoking [smokers], 54 who never smoked [nonsmokers]), and 70 controls (17 smokers, 53 nonsmokers). Olfaction was assessed using the 40-item University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). The olfactory scores between groups and subgroups were compared using analysis of covariance with adjustment for age, gender, and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor usage.

Results: Overall the olfactory score was lower in PD compared with controls (olfactory scores: 21.5 vs. 33.5, P < 0.0001). Among controls, there was no significant difference in olfaction between smokers and nonsmokers (olfactory scores, 33.2 vs. 34.2; P = 0.95). Among PD subjects, however, smokers scored significantly better regarding olfaction compared with nonsmokers (olfactory scores: 24.4 vs. 19.9, P = 0.02).

Conclusions: These data suggest that a history of smoking is associated with better olfaction among PD patients. The finding may be related to why smoking may be protective against PD. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding and investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; cigarette; olfactory; smoking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Mental Status Schedule
  • Middle Aged
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Olfaction Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Olfaction Disorders / drug therapy
  • Olfaction Disorders / etiology*
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Smell / physiology
  • Smoking / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • Levodopa