ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Persistent olfactory dysfunction (OD) after 6 months caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection has been reported with a variable prevalence worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of long-term OD and identify predisposing factors. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 100 adults with COVID-19. Olfactory function was assessed with the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test and a symptom survey at the onset of disease and 30 days later. Patients with persistent quantitative OD at the second assessment were reevaluated after 1 year. Demographic variables, symptoms, and the degree of smell loss were analyzed. RESULTS: Participants included 100 patients. The mean age was 42.2 ± 15.6 years, 55 (55%) were female, and 56 (56%) were outpatients. Baseline smell loss was identified in 75/100 (75%) patients, decreasing to 39/95 (40%) after 1 month, and persisting in 29 patients after 1 year. Phantosmia at baseline was the only risk factor identified for persistent OD after 1 year (relative risk 2.51; 95% confidence interval 1.53-4.12; p < 0.001). Regardless of the outcome in smell function, a significant decline in olfaction was associated with the presence of phantosmia at 1 month (ß = -12.39; 95% CI -19.82 to -4.95; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 (2019-2020 variants) produced a highly frequent OD that persisted in 29% of the patients after 1 year. The presence of phantosmia at baseline and 1 month was associated with a worse evolution, but phantosmia may interfere with the performance in an identification smell test. A longer follow-up is required in these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 Laryngoscope, 132:2445-2452, 2022.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Olfaction Disorders , Adult , Humans , Female , Middle Aged , Male , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/epidemiology , Smell , SARS-CoV-2 , Anosmia/epidemiology , Anosmia/etiology , Prospective Studies , Olfaction Disorders/epidemiology , Olfaction Disorders/etiology , Olfaction Disorders/diagnosisABSTRACT
RESUMEN Nos enfrentamos actualmente a una pandemia mundial de gran impacto, como resultado de la rápida propagación de un nuevo coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, causante de la enfermedad COVID-19. Todavía nos falta entender la fisiopatología de esta enfermedad, y la variedad de signos y síntomas que puede generar. Se ha descrito un porcentaje no menor de pacientes que desarrollan alteraciones del olfato y del gusto. La comunidad científica y médica está constantemente publicando sus observaciones sobre este tema, un proceso dinámico con abundante información. Se realizó una revisión exhaustiva de la literatura sobre las alteraciones del olfato y del gusto en los pacientes con COVID-19. Se observó una variabilidad importante en la incidencia de hiposmia/anosmia, de 5,1% hasta 85,7%, y de alteraciones del gusto de 5,6% hasta 88,8%. Esto se debe a que la mayoría de los estudios son principalmente retrospectivos, y varios ocuparon encuestas sin evaluación objetiva del olfato o gusto, limitando establecer con claridad la incidencia de estas alteraciones. Se observó que las alteraciones del olfato y del gusto son en general, frecuentes en estos pacientes, y presentan un buen pronóstico. ABSTRACT We are currently facing a global pandemic of great impact, as a result of the rapid spread of a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We have yet to understand the pathophysiology of this disease, as well as the variety of signs and symptoms it can cause. The scientific and medical communities are constantly publishing their observations on this subject, a dynamic process with a wealth of information. An exhaustive review of the literature on smell and taste alterations in patients with COVID-19 was carried out. A significant variability was observed in the incidence of hyposmia/anosmia, from 5.1% to 85.7%, and of taste alterations ranging from 5.6% to 88.8%. This is due to the fact that most of the studies were mainly retrospective, and several occupied surveys without objective evaluation of smell or taste, limiting to establish clearly the incidence of these alterations. It was observed that alterations of smell and taste are in general frequent in these patients, and that they present a good prognosis.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT We are currently facing a global pandemic of great impact, as a result of the rapid spread of a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We have yet to understand the pathophysiology of this disease, as well as the variety of signs and symptoms it can cause. The scientific and medical communities are constantly publishing their observations on this subject, a dynamic process with a wealth of information. An exhaustive review of the literature on smell and taste alterations in patients with COVID-19 was carried out. A significant variability was observed in the incidence of hyposmia/anosmia, from 5.1% to 85.7%, and of taste alterations ranging from 5.6% to 88.8%. This is due to the fact that most of the studies were mainly retrospective, and several occupied surveys without objective evaluation of smell or taste, limiting to establish clearly the incidence of these alterations. It was observed that alterations of smell and taste are in general frequent in these patients, and that they present a good prognosis.