Effect of glucocorticoids on smell sensation in patients with non-traumatic olfactory disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

What was studied

Researchers looked at steroid drugs called glucocorticoids and the sense of smell. The people were adults whose smell loss did not come from an injury. The team searched 4 databases up to December 2025. They pooled the results of the studies they found. They split the results by the cause of the smell loss. This kind of study is called a systematic review and meta-analysis.

What they found

Steroids helped smell in people whose smell loss came after COVID-19. This was based on 13 studies with 1538 people. They also helped people with nasal polyps, from 9 studies with 2022 people. In 5 studies of 318 people with long-term sinus disease and polyps, smell improved. No clear gain was seen in sinus disease without polyps. No clear gain was seen for allergic rhinitis either.

What it means for patients

The authors say the effect of steroids likely depends on the cause. They say people with smell loss linked to nasal polyps gain the most. For smell loss after COVID-19, short courses of nose steroids may help. For allergic rhinitis, the authors say the evidence is still unclear.

Why it is not certain yet

The studies with good results differed a lot from each other. Extra checks looked at test type, length of use, drug form and controls. The abstract does not give the results of those checks. Some groups, such as allergic rhinitis, had only 3 studies. A review can only be as good as the studies in it.

Source

Effect of glucocorticoids on smell sensation in patients with non-traumatic olfactory disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

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