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Olfactory and gustatory abnormalities in COVID-19 cases
Fazilet Altin1, Cemal Cingi2, Tankut Uzun3
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Health Sciences, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Summary
COVID-19 infection significantly impacts smell and taste. Loss of smell (anosmia) or taste (ageusia) can indicate a latent SARS-CoV-2 infection, aiding in early detection.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has seen widespread discussion regarding olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in infected individuals.
- Anosmia and ageusia are frequently reported symptoms, prompting clinical and public interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct comprehensive olfactory and gustatory testing in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
- To compare sensory test results between COVID-19 positive patients and a control group.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 81 individuals confirmed with COVID-19 via PCR testing.
- A control group of 40 individuals who tested negative for COVID-19.
- Standardized olfactory and gustatory testing performed by a single examiner under strict safety protocols.
Main Results:
- Among COVID-19 patients, 61.7% reported olfactory complaints, a statistically significant difference compared to controls (p < 0.001).
- Taste dysfunction was reported by 27.2% of COVID-19 patients, also showing a statistically significant difference from the control group (p < 0.001).
- Demographics showed similar age and gender distribution between the case (n=81) and control (n=40) groups.
Conclusions:
- Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions are strongly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Reduced sense of smell (hyposmia) and/or taste (hypogeusia) may serve as a reliable indicator of undiagnosed COVID-19.
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