Olfactory Dysfunction After SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the RECOVER Adult Cohort.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Olfactory dysfunction is a common sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• This dysfunction has been linked to cognitive impairment in various conditions.
• Formal olfactory testing is crucial for accurate diagnosis and characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and characterize long-term olfactory dysfunction following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• To assess the correlation between self-reported smell changes and objective olfactory test results.
• To explore the association between olfactory dysfunction and cognitive problems post-infection.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study involving adults from the RECOVER-Adult study.
• Olfactory testing using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) was administered.
• Participants included those with and without self-reported smell/taste changes after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of infected participants, even those without self-reported changes, exhibited hyposmia (reduced smell).
• Among those with self-reported smell loss, 79.8% had hyposmia, with 23.0% experiencing severe impairment.
• Abnormal olfactory test results were more frequent in participants reporting cognitive problems.

Conclusions:

• Self-reported smell or taste changes are indicative of hyposmia but do not capture all cases.
• A substantial rate of undiagnosed hyposmia exists in individuals post-SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Formal olfactory assessment is advised for patients with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection to identify occult hyposmia and associated risks.