Gustatory Function in Acute COVID-19 - Results From Home-Based Psychophysical Testing.

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Self-reported gustatory dysfunction is common in COVID-19 patients.
• Objective psychophysical testing of taste during acute COVID-19 is less studied.
• Understanding early taste changes is crucial for managing COVID-19 related symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate gustatory function using threshold tests in the early stages of COVID-19.
• To compare objective taste testing results with patients' self-reported symptoms.
• To identify potential specific taste quality impairments in acute COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• Utilized validated, blinded psychophysical tests for olfaction and gustation (NHANES Pocket Smell Test, Taste Strips Test).
• Sent test kits to home-quarantined patients for self-administration.
• Included 51 patients, with testing conducted approximately 6.5 days post-swab.

Main Results:

• 28% of patients exhibited hypogeusia (reduced taste sensitivity) based on objective testing.
• Subjective reports indicated 37% experienced gustatory impairment.
• No significant difference in objective gustatory testing was found between self-reported impaired and preserved taste groups.

Conclusions:

• Objective psychophysical testing revealed hypogeusia in 28% of patients in the early phase of COVID-19.
• This objective finding is substantially lower than patient self-reports.
• No clear evidence for impairment of specific taste qualities was observed, differing from some prior research.