“I Can’t Smell Well These Days…” – A diminished Sense of Smell May Signal Parkinson’s Disease
Recent data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and the National Institute of health reveals a concerning rise in Parkinson’s disease cases within the country. The number of patients increased by 13.9% over four years, climbing from 125,927 in 2020 to 143,441 in 2023. This increase is directly linked to Korea’s aging population, with the majority of patients falling into the 60s (18.7%,or 20,819 people),70s (37.9%, or 42,172 people), and 80s or older (36.5%, or 40,603 people).
Recognizing the urgent need for improved diagnosis and treatment, the National Institute of Health launched the ‘Brain Disease Research Base Creation Research Project’ in 2021. This initiative, conducted in collaboration with universities and medical institutions, focuses on long-term patient follow-up to better understand the disease’s diagnosis, prevention, and potential progression. Currently, the exact cause of Parkinson’s remains unknown, and definitive diagnostic tests are lacking, making research crucial.
A recent study stemming from this project has uncovered a surprising link between olfactory function (sense of smell) and cognitive decline in parkinson’s patients. Researchers tracked 203 patients over five years, categorizing them based on their sense of smell – normal, reduced, or deteriorated. The study found that a significant majority (85.7%) experienced a loss of smell during the follow-up period. Notably,those who initially had a normal sense of smell experienced a faster rate of cognitive decline.
This finding is significant because olfactory function tests are relatively simple to administer. Researchers believe this could lead to earlier diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and more accurate predictions of cognitive decline. As one researcher stated,detecting even subtle changes like difficulty smelling could be instrumental in early screening and the progress of personalized treatment plans.
To aid in awareness and early detection, researchers have developed the mobile app ‘Dr. Parkinson’ to provide accessible self-diagnosis information. This is notably vital given that a survey revealed 26% of Parkinson’s patients initially received incorrect treatment after misdiagnosing their symptoms as something else. Individuals experiencing suspicious symptoms – such as muscle stiffness, tremors in the hands and feet, or slow movements – are strongly advised to consult a neurologist.
Lim seung-gwan,Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency,emphasized the agency’s commitment to unraveling the complexities of Parkinson’s disease. “The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency is working to identify the cause of the disease and develop precise diagnosis technology through Parkinson’s disease patient cohorts and intervention studies,” he stated. ”We will strive to lead to research results that patients can feel in the future.”
