Topical Administration of Mometasone Is Not Helpful in Post-COVID-19 Olfactory Dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Persistent olfactory dysfunction affects up to 5% of COVID-19 survivors.
• Mometasone furoate nasal spray is a recommended treatment, but its efficacy for post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction requires validation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To psychophysically assess the effect of intranasal mometasone furoate on olfactory recovery in post-COVID-19 patients.
• To compare the efficacy of olfactory training with and without mometasone furoate nasal spray.

Main Methods:

• Patients with confirmed olfactory dysfunction underwent psychophysical testing using Sniffin' Sticks.
• Participants were randomized to olfactory training plus mometasone furoate spray or olfactory training alone for three months.
• Olfactory function was reassessed using Sniffin' Sticks after the three-month study duration.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in olfactory recovery was observed between the group receiving olfactory training plus mometasone furoate and the group receiving olfactory training alone.
• The findings psychophysically confirm previous studies based on subjective self-ratings.
• The results contrast with current recommendations for managing post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• Intranasal mometasone furoate does not offer additional benefit over olfactory training alone for post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction.
• Current treatment recommendations for post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction may need revision based on these findings.