COVID-19 Anosmia Reporting Tool: Initial Findings

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Anecdotal evidence suggests a link between anosmia/dysgeusia and COVID-19.
• The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery developed a reporting tool to study this association.
• Understanding these symptoms is crucial for early COVID-19 detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between anosmia, dysgeusia, and SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• To analyze early symptoms and recovery patterns in patients reporting these sensory changes.
• To assess the potential of anosmia as an early indicator of COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study analyzing the first 237 entries from the COVID-19 Anosmia Reporting Tool for Clinicians.
• Retrospective analysis of patient-reported data on anosmia and dysgeusia in relation to COVID-19.
• Data collected confidentially from healthcare providers.

Main Results:

• Anosmia was reported in 73% of patients before their COVID-19 diagnosis.
• Anosmia served as the initial symptom in 26.6% of cases.
• Symptom improvement was noted in 27% of patients, with a mean recovery time of 7.2 days.

Conclusions:

• Anosmia can be a presenting symptom of COVID-19, aligning with international reports.
• Early identification of anosmia may aid in detecting individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2.
• Timely identification of anosmia could help curb unwitting transmission of the virus.