Surveying Chemosensory Dysfunction in COVID-19.

Area of Science:

• Chemosensory science
• Infectious disease epidemiology
• Otorhinolaryngology

Background:

• Reports of smell and taste disruption during COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2) prompted global scientific interest.
• While other viruses cause similar disruptions, SARS-CoV-2's unique characteristics raised questions about the nature and cause of these deficits.
• The potential for chemosensory dysfunction to serve as an early indicator of COVID-19 onset and severity was investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence, characteristics, and severity of smell, taste, and chemesthesis disruptions in COVID-19 patients.
• To assess the potential of olfactory dysfunction as a biomarker for COVID-19 spread and severity.
• To identify needs for future research in chemosensory dysfunction related to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Main Methods:

• Two large-scale, multinational online survey studies were rapidly deployed.
• Surveys employed distinct methodologies and targeted different aspects of chemosensory perception.
• Data collection focused on self-reported changes in smell, taste, and chemesthesis following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Main Results:

• Significant new data on the incidence and severity of smell loss associated with COVID-19 were generated.
• Evidence suggests olfactory dysfunction may correlate with COVID-19 spread and severity.
• Less definitive data were obtained for taste and chemesthesis disruptions, highlighting variability and need for further investigation.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 frequently causes olfactory dysfunction, with potential as a disease indicator.
• Further research, including refined surveys and clinical studies, is needed to fully understand taste and chemesthesis deficits.
• Standardized methodologies are crucial for future chemosensory research in infectious diseases.