Attributes of dysgeusia and anosmia of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitalized patients.

OBJECTIVES: While chemosensory dysfunctions, dysgeusia and anosmia/hyposmia, are recognized as distinctive symptoms of COVID-19, their temporality of presentation and association with the patient age, gender, disease severity, and comorbidities has been sparsely studied. Hence, we evaluated the latter associations of chemosensory dysfunction, in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information on chemosensory dysfunction and history of chronic systemic comorbidities, if any, was obtained from 149 COVID-19 patients in an infectious disease hospital in UAE, using their medical records, as well as from a face-to-face questionnaire survey. Additionally, a modified SNOT-22 questionnaire that measures disease-specific quality of life in patients with upper respiratory tract affections was also administered. RESULTS: Chemosensory dysfunction was reported by 94.6% of the cohort, and anosmia with dysgeusia was significantly more in males than females with severe COVID-19. Males with moderate COVID-19 and systemic comorbidities were more likely to present with chemosensory dysfunction in comparison with females. SNOT-22 questionnaire revealed that nasal blockage and runny nose were more prevalent in mild/moderate, than in the severe, state of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm the commonality of chemosensory dysfunction during COVID-19 progression, and the significantly more pronounced combined dysfunction in males with severe COVID-19, and comorbidities.

The effectiveness and efficacy of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in dentistry and other health care settings: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The global pandemic of coronavirus disease-19, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the latest hazard facing healthcare workers (HCW) including dental care workers (DCW). It is clear that the major mode of SARS-CoV-2 transmission is the airborne route, through inhalation of virus-infested aerosols and droplets. Several respiratory protection equipment (RPE), including masks, face shields/visors, and respirators, are available to obviate facial and conjunctival contamination by microbes. However, as their barrier value against microbial inhalation has not been evaluated, we systematically reviewed the data on the effectiveness and efficacy of facemasks and respirators, including protective eyewear, with particular emphasis on dental healthcare. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched between 01January 1990 and 15 May 2020. RESULTS: Of 310 identified English language records, 21 were included as per eligibility criteria. In clinical terms, wearing layered, face-fitting masks/respirators and protective-eyewear can limit the spread of infection among HCWs. Specifically, combined interventions such as a face mask and a face shield, better resist bioaerosol inhalation than either alone. The prolonged and over-extended use of surgical masks compromise their effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: In general, RPE is effective as a barrier protection against aerosolized microbes in healthcare settings. But their filtration efficacy is compromised by the (i) inhalant particle size, (ii) airflow dynamics, (iii) mask-fit factor, (iv) period of wear, (v) 'wetness' of the masks, and (vi) their fabrication quality. The macro-data presented here should inform policy formulation on RPE wear amongst HCWs.