Reduction of olfactory sensitivity during normobaric hypoxia

Tilman Huppertz; Jessica Freiherr; Bernhard Olzowy; Ulrich Kisser; Jutta Stephan; Gunther Fesl; Kathrin Haegler; Berend Feddersen; Rainald Fischer; Klaus Mees; Sven Becker

doi:10.1016/j.anl.2017.11.001

Reduction of olfactory sensitivity during normobaric hypoxia

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2018 Aug;45(4):747-752. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2017.11.001. Epub 2017 Nov 15.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Electronic address: Tilman.huppertz@unimedizin-mainz.de.
² Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Germany.
³ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Rostock, Germany.
⁴ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Germany; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
⁵ Institute for Altitude Training - Altitude Balance, Munich, Germany.
⁶ Department of Neuroradiology, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Germany.
⁷ Department of Neurology, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Germany.
⁸ Pneumologische Praxis Pasing, Munich, Germany.
⁹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Germany.
¹⁰ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Germany.

PMID: 29153259
DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2017.11.001

Abstract

Objective: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is caused by a low partial pressure of oxygen and may occur above 2500m. The aim of this research was to evaluate olfactory and gustatory abilities of healthy subjects during baseline conditions and after seven hours of normobaric hypoxia.

Methods: Sixteen healthy subjects were assessed using the Sniffin' Sticks, as well as intensity and pleasantness ratings. Gustatory function was evaluated utilizing the Taste Strips. Experiments were carried out under baseline conditions (518m altitude) followed by a second testing session after seven hours of normobaric hypoxia exposure (comparable to 4000m altitude).

Results: During normobaric hypoxia olfactory sensitivity and intensity estimates were significantly reduced.

Conclusions: We conclude that normobaric hypoxia leads to a significant decrease of olfactory sensitivity and intensity ratings.

Keywords: Normobaric hypoxia; Olfactory function; Smell; Taste.

MeSH terms

Altitude
Altitude Sickness / physiopathology
Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Hypoxia / physiopathology*
Male
Olfactory Perception / physiology*
Sensory Thresholds
Smell / physiology
Taste Threshold / physiology*
Young Adult