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Impact of Systemic Diseases on Olfactory Function in COVID-19 Infected Patients
Ayat A Awwad1, Osama M M Abd Elhay2, Moustafa M Rabie3
1Otorhinolaryngology department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
International Journal of General Medicine
|June 24, 2022
Summary
Olfactory dysfunction, including anosmia, is a common symptom of COVID-19, affecting over 70% of patients. This smell disorder is linked to milder cases and pre-existing conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV) emerged as a significant global health threat.
- Olfactory dysfunctions (ODs) are recognized as potential early indicators for COVID-19.
- Common comorbidities include diabetes, chronic lung, and cardiovascular diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of various smell disorders in laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients.
- To investigate the impact of systemic diseases on olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cross-sectional study of 308 mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients.
- Data collected via patient files and an online questionnaire.
- Assessed olfactory dysfunction symptoms and associated COVID-19 symptoms, plus systemic diseases.
Main Results:
- 72.4% of COVID-19 patients experienced olfactory dysfunction, with anosmia being most common (57.8%).
- Significant associations found between olfactory dysfunction and diabetes, hypertension, asthma, chronic liver disease, and hypothyroidism (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- COVID-19-associated olfactory dysfunction correlates with milder disease and reduced hospitalization.
- A significant relationship exists between olfactory dysfunction and pre-existing systemic conditions.
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