Clinical Olfactory Working Group consensus statement on the treatment of postinfectious olfactory dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases
• Neurology

Background:

• Respiratory tract viruses are a leading cause of olfactory dysfunction.
• Olfactory dysfunction is a recognized symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• There is a critical need for evidence-based management of postinfectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a practical, evidence-based guide for managing PIOD.
• To include guidance for post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
• To serve primary care practitioners and hospital specialists.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of PIOD treatment options was conducted.
• Expert roundtable discussions were held following the systematic review.
• A survey assessed the Clinical Olfactory Working Group's current clinical practices.

Main Results:

• 40 articles met inclusion criteria from 467 citations; 11 were randomized controlled trials.
• 15 articles focused specifically on PIOD, while 25 covered other olfactory dysfunction causes.
• A significant portion of the reviewed literature addressed post-viral olfactory dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• Olfactory training was overwhelmingly recommended by the Clinical Olfactory Working Group.
• Monocycline antibiotics were not recommended by any group members.
• Further research is necessary to validate other potential therapeutic options like oral steroids and vitamin A.