Investigating the Effect of Tumour Necrosis Factor Antagonist on Olfaction

IF 1.9 4区医学 Q2 OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY

Clinical Otolaryngology Pub Date : 2026-06-03 Epub Date: 2026-02-12 DOI:10.1111/coa.70093

Andreas Espehana, George Macfarlane, Elizabeth Mairenn Garden, Liam Lee, Gabija Klyvyte, Lavandan Jegatheeswaran, Rebecca Davies, Carl Philpott

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

Tumour Necrosis factor antagonists is a potent anti-inflammatory medication and has shown to improve olfactory function in murine models. The primary aim was to determine the effect of TNF antagonists on olfactory performance in humans. Secondary aim is to generate pilot data on the suitability of TNF for a randomised controlled trial in patients with smell disorders.

Design

This study is a single centre observatory prospective proof of concept cohort study. Adult patients are recruited from a tertiary rheumatology centre, who are to be initiated on TNF antagonists therapy (adalimumab biosimilar) for the first time. Participants were assessed with a simple questionnaire and a baseline olfactory assessment with the extended Sniffin’ Stick Test. Participants were then brought back after 3 months of treatment for a repeat questionnaire and Sniffin’ Sticks Test.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome was to determine the difference between smell test scores in the Sniffin’ Sticks TDI score before and after 3-months of treatment. Secondary outcomes include changes in visual analogue score from baseline to follow-up (questionnaire).

Results

Sixty-three participants were recruited in the study; 21 were lost to follow up and two had stopped taking their medication, hence 40 were included in the analysis. There was no statistically significant improvement in TDI score of all participants at 3 months after treatment (p value = 0.08). However, analysis of participants who had olfactory dysfunction at baseline (n = 20, TDI < 31 or 30.5 if aged 20–30) showed a statistically significant improvement in TDI score after 3 months (p value = 0.012).

Conclusion

TNF antagonists have the potential to improve olfactory function in those with olfactory dysfunction and should be subjected to further study in a selected group of patients with olfactory dysfunction.

Abstract Image

查看原文本刊更多论文

肿瘤坏死因子拮抗剂对嗅觉影响的研究。

目的：肿瘤坏死因子拮抗剂是一种有效的抗炎药物，在小鼠模型中显示出改善嗅觉功能的作用。主要目的是确定TNF拮抗剂对人类嗅觉性能的影响。次要目的是为嗅觉障碍患者的随机对照试验生成TNF适用性的试点数据。设计：本研究为单中心观察前瞻性概念验证队列研究。成人患者从三级风湿病中心招募，首次开始TNF拮抗剂治疗（阿达木单抗生物类似药）。参与者通过简单的问卷和扩展嗅探棒测试的基线嗅觉评估进行评估。治疗3个月后，参与者被带回来接受重复问卷调查和嗅棒测试。主要结局指标：主要结局是确定治疗前和治疗后3个月嗅探棒TDI评分中嗅觉测试分数的差异。次要结局包括视觉模拟评分从基线到随访的变化（问卷调查）。结果：本研究共招募63名受试者；其中21人无法随访，2人停止服药，因此有40人被纳入分析。治疗后3个月，所有受试者的TDI评分均无统计学意义的改善（p值= 0.08）。然而，对基线时有嗅觉功能障碍的参与者（n = 20， TDI）的分析结论：TNF拮抗剂有可能改善嗅觉功能障碍患者的嗅觉功能，应该在一组有嗅觉功能障碍的患者中进行进一步的研究。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical Otolaryngology 医学-耳鼻喉科学

CiteScore

4.00

自引率

4.80%

发文量

106

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical Otolaryngology is a bimonthly journal devoted to clinically-oriented research papers of the highest scientific standards dealing with: current otorhinolaryngological practice audiology, otology, balance, rhinology, larynx, voice and paediatric ORL head and neck oncology head and neck plastic and reconstructive surgery continuing medical education and ORL training The emphasis is on high quality new work in the clinical field and on fresh, original research. Each issue begins with an editorial expressing the personal opinions of an individual with a particular knowledge of a chosen subject. The main body of each issue is then devoted to original papers carrying important results for those working in the field. In addition, topical review articles are published discussing a particular subject in depth, including not only the opinions of the author but also any controversies surrounding the subject. • Negative/null results In order for research to advance, negative results, which often make a valuable contribution to the field, should be published. However, articles containing negative or null results are frequently not considered for publication or rejected by journals. We welcome papers of this kind, where appropriate and valid power calculations are included that give confidence that a negative result can be relied upon.