Olfactory identification impairment in early‐and late‐onset obsessive–compulsive disorder

Background Early‐onset obsessive–compulsive disorder (EOCD) is a comparatively severe subtype of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of OCD, but all previous studies have focused on late‐onset OCD (LOCD). Methods The current study compared olfactory identif...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Early intervention in psychiatry 2022-02, Vol.16 (2), p.133-138
Main Authors: Li, Ze‐tian, Tan, Shao‐zhen, Lyu, Zhi‐hong, Zou, Lai‐quan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age of Onset
early‐onset
Humans
Identification
late‐onset
Medical diagnosis
Memory
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - complications
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - diagnosis
Olfaction disorders
Olfaction Disorders - complications
Olfaction Disorders - diagnosis
olfactory identification
Smell
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Summary:Background Early‐onset obsessive–compulsive disorder (EOCD) is a comparatively severe subtype of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of OCD, but all previous studies have focused on late‐onset OCD (LOCD). Methods The current study compared olfactory identification ability in EOCD patients and age‐matched and sex‐matched LOCD patients and healthy controls. Thirty patients with EOCD, 30 patients with LOCD and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Olfactory function was measured using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test. The Logical Memory and Visual Reproduction components of the Revised Wechsler Memory Scale were used to evaluate verbal and visual memory. Results There were significant differences in olfactory identification ability between the three groups. EOCD patients were comparable to LOCD patients, while both patients' group showing worse olfactory identification ability than controls. Olfactory identification ability was not significantly correlated with verbal and visual memory or clinical symptoms in the EOCD group or the LOCD group. Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that olfactory identification ability may be a relatively stable indicator of OCD, independent of age, duration of illness, verbal and visual memory, and severity of clinical symptoms.
ISSN:1751-7885
1751-7893
DOI:10.1111/eip.13136