Is there a relationship between sense of smell and Lupus?

It has been said that your eyes are the window to your soul. It has also been noted that the state of your gums and teeth tell a lot about your overall heart health. Now, studies are showing that your nose may in fact be the tunnel into the depths of your immune system. Because your sense of smell is intricately tied to the central nervous system and various areas of the brain, having a decreased ability to smell has been linked to various immune-related disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s disease. New research is indicating that olfactory dysfunction may also be a predictor in lupus as well.

The study was conducted by researchers from Israel, and sought to determine whether there was a link between olfactory function and the development of lupus. Many believe that a decrease in olfactory function and the onset of lupus is set in motion by autoimmune functions that affect certain areas of the brain. For this study, the researchers examined fifty patients who had lupus and fifty patients who did not have disorder. They evaluated three levels of olfactory function, including a threshold (sensing an odor on one stick versus other sticks with no odor); discrimination (telling the difference between two smells); and being able to identify a particular smell from an array of different options. They scored each of these areas for a combined overall score regarding their sense of smell. Researchers concluded that those suffering with lupus showed a significant decrease in their sense of smell when compared with the healthy control group. These differences were most noticeable in the threshold and discrimination areas.

Sense of smell is quite important from an overall quality of life perspective. It is important to be able to detect noxious fumes or to smell whether food or another substance is rotting. Furthermore, it is enjoyable to be able to smell the flowers in spring or baked goods from a bakery. The researchers note that the exact mechanism which causes lupus and olfactory dysfunction to occur simultaneously is still unknown. They acknowledge that more research will be necessary to see why this relationship exists, and how the immune system plays a role in each of the functions. For now, they are confident that a decrease in a person’s sense of smell may be a significant early indicator that they are also suffering from lupus. If you have had trouble identifying various smells and feel that your olfactory function may be compromised, discuss this with your doctor and also ask whether tests may be run to rule out lupus as well.