Differences in olfactory dysfunction and its relationship with cognitive function in schizophrenia patients with and without auditory verbal hallucinations

Olfactory discrimination dysfunction has been observed in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), but its relationship with cognitive function has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in olfactory identification function in SCZ patients with and without auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) and its relationship with cognitive function. Olfactory identification function was measured in 80 SCZ patients with AVHs, 57 SCZ patients without AVHs, and 87 healthy controls (HC). Clinical symptom scores and neuropsychological measures were also administered to all corresponding subjects. Compared to HC, SCZ patients showed significant deficits in olfactory identification and cognitive function, but there were no differences in olfactory identification dysfunction and cognitive dysfunction between the two subgroups. In the non-AVHs subgroup only, poorer Olfactory Stick Identification Test for Japanese (OSIT-J) scores were significantly and positively correlated with total and delayed recall (Bonferroni correction, p < 0.002). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that factors affecting olfactory identification impairment differed in the two SCZ patient subgroups. In conclusion, this study highlights the commonality of olfactory identification dysfunction in SCZ patients and the importance of olfactory assessment of different subtypes of SCZ patients.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the relationship between olfactory identification dysfunction and cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ). Compared to healthy controls, SCZ patients showed significant deficits in olfactory identification and cognitive function, with no differences between subgroups. In the subgroup without auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs), poorer olfactory identification scores were positively correlated with total and delayed recall. Factors affecting olfactory identification impairment differed in the two SCZ patient subgroups. This study highlights the commonality of olfactory identification dysfunction in SCZ patients and the importance of olfactory assessment in different subtypes of SCZ patients.