Olfaction in leprosy.

Olfactory test was carried out in 225 cases of Hansen's disease with 75 cases each of lepromatous leprosy (L.L.), borderline leprosy (B.L.) and tuberculoid leprosy (T). Impairment of olfaction was found in 94(41.7%) cases. It was seen in 69.33% cases of L.L., 33.33% cases of B.L. and 22.6% cases of T. Total anosmia was present in 5(6.61%) cases of L.L. only. Males were more affected than the females. Impairment of olfaction was related to the duration of the disease, severity of the nasal condition, and E.N.L. reaction. It was not related to the type of antileprosy drug used.