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Introduction: Loss in sense of smell and taste is a condition that can occur
without an organic pathology and it is noteworthy in patients diagnosed
with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Few studies have shown that
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (tTMS) can correct losses in
sense of smell and taste. In this study; we aimed to examine the effects of
tTMS treatment applied to patients diagnosed with MDD on the sense of
smell and taste in this patient group.
Methods: The sense of smell of 56 patients who were diagnosed with
MDD and had tTMS indication was examined with the “Sniffin’ Sticks”
smell test and the sense of taste with the “Taste Strips” taste test. MDD
patients who lost at least one sense of smell and taste were included
in the study, but a total of 30 patients were able to complete the study.
Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) was applied to the patients before
tTMS treatment, and this scale was repeated after 15 sessions of tTMS
treatment. Taste and smell senses were re-evaluated after the last tTMS
session.
Results: According to the Sniffin Stick Smell test, 15 of 29 patients
with hyposmia had normosmia after tTMS, and 16 of 18 patients who
were found to have hypogusia according to Taste Strips Taste test had
normogusia after tTMS. There was a positive improvement in both the
smell and taste scores of all patients who were treated, compared to
before tTMS. The positive improvement in the smell tests of the patients
who responded to the treatment according to the HAM-D scores was
found to be significantly different than the patients who did not respond.
Conclusion: The positive effect of tTMS treatment on the sense of
smell and taste has been demonstrated even in patients whose HAM-D
scores could not be sufficiently decreased. In patients diagnosed with
depression, using tTMS alone or adding it to the current treatment
suggests that it may have a positive effect on the sense of smell and taste
as well as depression treatment.