Self-Reported Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunctions in Hospitalized Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant

This study aimed to examine the olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions (OGDs) among hospitalized patients with a novel strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), lineage B.1.617.2, also known as the delta variant, in Xi'an, China through verbal interviews.

Clinical information of 370 hospitalized patients infected with the delta variant in the Aerospace City Branch of Xi'an People's Hospital in Xi'an, China from December 27, 2021 to January 10, 2022 were collected. The prevalence and characteristics of OGDs were collected using a simple questionnaire submitted to all infected patients, including questions about the presence and absence of OGDs.

Among the 370 patients infected with the delta variant, 28 (7.6%) reported OGDs. A significant proportion of patients with self-reported OGDs were younger than those without (28.9 ± 10.5 vs. 35.3 ± 13.9, P = 0.005) and had significantly higher rates of sore throat and rhinitis (28.6% vs. 12.3%, P = 0.033; 42.9% vs. 9.9%, P = 0.000). Women were significantly more affected by OGDs than men (67.9% vs. 32.1%, P = 0.012). Vaccinated and unvaccinated delta variant-infected patients showed statistically significant differences in terms of disease severity (P = 0.002).

The prevalence of OGDs in the delta variant infection was lower than that in wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection. Meanwhile, young age, female sex, and upper respiratory tract symptoms could be closely related to the occurrence of OGDs in the delta variant infection. In addition, a satisfactory level of efficacy was obtained with coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines against moderate and severe delta variant infections.