Chemosensory dysfunction in COVID-19 out-patients

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has led to numerous studies on olfactory and gustatory dysfunction (OGD).
• Understanding the prevalence and severity of OGD in COVID-19 patients is crucial for patient management and prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency and severity of OGD in SARS-CoV-2 positive outpatients.
• To compare OGD in COVID-19 patients with controls experiencing common cold or flu-like symptoms and negative RT-PCR tests.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter cross-sectional study involving 197 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients and 107 controls.
• Olfactory and gustatory dysfunction severity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
• Analysis of frequency and severity of chemosensory impairment.

Main Results:

• COVID-19 patients exhibited significantly higher rates of smell loss (70.1%) and taste loss (65%) compared to controls (20.6% and 19.6%).
• Simultaneous OGD was more common in COVID-19 patients (61.9% vs 10.3%), with higher reported severity.
• OGD was more prevalent in young (46.5 years) and female COVID-19 patients (63.5%).

Conclusions:

• OGD is a common symptom in COVID-19, with notable differences compared to other respiratory illnesses.
• Severe OGD in COVID-19 patients, predominantly affecting young females, is associated with prolonged recovery periods.
• The findings highlight the significant impact of COVID-19 on chemosensory functions.