Antibody response, associated symptoms and profile of patients presumably infected by SARS-CoV-2 with taste or smell disorders in the SAPRIS multicohort study.

BACKGROUND: Taste or smell disorders have been reported as strongly associated with COVID-19 diagnosis. We aimed to identify subject characteristics, symptom associations, and antibody response intensity associated with taste or smell disorders. METHODS: We used data from SAPRIS, a study based on a consortium of five prospective cohorts gathering 279,478 participants in the French general population. In the analysis, we selected participants who were presumably infected by SARS-CoV-2 during the first epidemic wave. RESULTS: The analysis included 3,439 patients with a positive ELISA-Spike. Sex (OR = 1.28 [95% CI 1.05-1.58] for women), smoking (OR = 1.54 [95% CI 1.13-2.07]), consumption of more than 2 drinks of alcohol a day (OR = 1.37 [95% CI 1.06-1.76]) were associated with a higher probability of taste or smell disorders. The relationship between age and taste or smell disorders was non-linear. Serological titers were associated with taste or smell disorders: OR = 1.31 [95% CI 1.26-1.36], OR = 1.37 [95% CI 1.33-1.42] and OR = 1.34 [95% CI 1.29-1.39] for ELISA-Spike, ELISA-Nucleocapsid and seroneutralization, respectively. Among participants with taste or smell disorders, 90% reported a wide variety of other symptoms whereas 10% reported no other symptom or only rhinorrhea. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with a positive ELISA-Spike test, women, smokers and people drinking more than 2 drinks a day were more likely to develop taste or smell disorders. This symptom was strongly associated with an antibody response. The overwhelming majority of patients with taste or smell disorders experienced a wide variety of symptoms.

Recovery from Covid-19 smell loss: Two-years of follow up.

OBJECTIVE: To report long-term patterns of recovery and non-recovery in a large nationwide cohort of subjects with COVID-19 associated smell loss. STUDY DESIGN: Prospectively, longitudinal questionnaires. SETTING: Web-based national survey. METHODS: A longitudinal survey of adults with COVID-19 and/or sudden change in smell or taste since January 1, 2020 was launched April 10, 2020. Participants were queried again in late May 2022 regarding recovery. Data from respondents with >2 years since loss were analyzed and compared to recovery status of those more recently effected. RESULTS: 1103 responded to the survey of whom 946 met inclusion criteria. Among the 267 respondents for whom at least 2 years of follow up was available, 38.2 % reported full recovery, 54.3 % partial, and 7.5 % no recovery. For the entire cohort (all with ≥3 months since smell loss), 38.7 % reported complete recovery, 51.0 % reported partial recovery (ranging from mild complaints to severe phantosmia or dysosmia), and 10.3 % reported no improvement at all. Complete recovery of smell function was significantly higher in those under 40 years old (45.6 % compared to 32.9 % in those over 40). CONCLUSION: Although the vast majority of subjects who do recover do so within the first 3 months, long-term spontaneous recovery can occur. Rates of recovery do not seem to differ depending on when during the pandemic the loss first occurred.

Prevalence of taste and smell dysfunction in mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients during Omicron prevalent period in Shanghai, China: a cross-sectional survey study.

OBJECTIVES: COVID-19, which is caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a severe threat to human health and the economy globally. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of taste and/or smell dysfunction and associated risk factors in mild and asymptomatic patients with Omicron infection in Shanghai, China.DesignThis was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. SETTING: COVID-19 patients at the makeshift hospital in the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre were recruited from March to April 2022. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 686 COVID-19-infected patients who were defined as mild or asymptomatic cases according to the diagnostic criteria of New Coronavirus Pneumonia Prevention and Control Programme ninth edition (National Health Commission of China, 2022) were enrolled. MEASURES: Data to investigate taste and smell loss and to characterise other symptoms were collected by the modified Chemotherapy-induced Taste Alteration Scale and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 questionnaires. The risk factors for the severity of taste/smell dysfunction were analysed by binary logistic regression models. RESULTS: 379 males (379/686, 55.2%) and 307 females (307/686, 44.8%) completed the questionnaires to record recent changes in taste and smell ability. A total of 302 patients (44%) had chemosensory dysfunction with Omicron infection, of which 22.7% (156/686) suffered from both taste and smell dysfunction. In addition, cough (60.2%), expectoration (40.5%), fever (33.2%) and sore throat (32.5%) were common symptoms during Omicron infection. The quality-of-life-related indicators were negatively associated with participants' self-reported taste and smell dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of taste or/and smell dysfunction in patients with Omicron infections was 44%. Individuals with chemosensory dysfunction had significantly higher rates of various upper respiratory influenza-like symptoms, xerostomia and bad breath. Moreover, smell dysfunction was a risk factor for the prevalence of taste dysfunction in patients with Omicron infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR 2200059097.

Long-term Consequences of COVID-19: Chemosensory Disorders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A number of sequelae after acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) significantly affect the quality of life of patients. The chemosensory disorders including olfactory dysfunction (OD) and gustatory dysfunction (GD) are two of the commonest symptoms complained by patients with COVID-19. Although chemosensory function has been reported improved in over 60% of COVID-19 patients in a short time after acute infection, it may last as a major symptom for patients with long COVID-19. This narrative review discussed current literatures on OD and GD in long COVID-19 including the prevalence, risk factors, possible mechanisms, and potential therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: Although the prevalence of OD and GD has declined continuously after acute COVID-19, a considerable number of patients had persistent chemosensory disorders 3 months to 2 years after symptom onset. Female gender, initial severity of dysfunction, nasal congestion, emotional distress and depression, and SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified as risk factors for persistent OD and GD in long COVID-19. The pathogenesis of OD and GD in long COVID-19 remains unknown, but may be analogous to the persistent OD and GD post common respiratory viral infection. Corticosteroids and olfactory training might be a potential choice regarding the treatment of lasting OD and GD after SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, more studies are needed to prove it. OD and GD are common long-term consequences of COVID-19 and influenced by gender, initial severity of dysfunction, emotional distress and depression, and SARS-CoV-2 variants. More studies are needed to illustrate their pathogenesis and to establish therapeutic strategies.

Perspectives on the Pathophysiology, Management, and Relevance of Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction to COVID-19, Part One.

Context: Amelioration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction (OGD) disorders has become a common requirement due to COVID-19. Although it's hardly exclusive to COVID-19, OGD's prevalence requires exploration of therapeutic and restorative modalities, on the broadest scale possible. No specific medication or treatment of any noteworthy efficacy exists for OGD. Objective: As Part 1 of a three-part article, a narrative review intended to examine the known causes of OGD, not restricted to COVID-19, and frame their relevance for development of new treatments or the repurposing of existing ones. Design: The researcher performed a narrative review by searching databases including PubMed, Sciencedirect, Google Scholar, Old Dominion University Libraries, and the websites of various medical journals. Searches included numerous combinations of keywords accompanied by the phrases, loss of sense of smell and taste, olfactory and gustatory dysfunction disorders, as well as the terms anosmia, parosmia, ageusia, and parageusia. Such keywords included viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, parasites, infection, COVID-19, treatments, medications, steroids, supplements, nutrients, alternative medicine, acupuncture, olfactory training, clinical trials, cranial nerves, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and etiology. Setting: The Liebell Clinic, Virginia Beach, VA, USA. Results: Scientific investigation into mechanisms and treatment of OGD appears to be historically limited and unremarkable. Medical literature spanning decades reports a bleak clinical outlook with an abundance of speculation and hypotheses. Limited evidence of effective or reliable treatment exists, especially for chronic cases. Conclusions: With a dismal lack of medical support for a suddenly prevalent, but hardly novel set of maladies of taste and smell perception; the imperative for multifaceted and broad investigations across all medical disciplines is without question. Global urgency for the development of any treatment capable of reducing or resolving OGD triggered by COVID-19 is unprecedented. Part 2 of the current author's three-part series will address the details of current and past treatment approaches and clinical trials.

Alterations in smell or taste in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 during periods of Omicron variant dominance.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the prevalence, severity, correlation with initial symptoms, and role of vaccination in patients with COVID-19 with smell or taste alterations (STAs). METHODS: We conducted an observational study of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron admitted to three hospitals between May 17 and June 16, 2022. The olfactory and gustatory functions were evaluated using the taste and smell survey and the numerical visual analog scale at two time points. RESULTS: The T1 and T2 time point assessments were completed by 688 and 385 participants, respectively. The prevalence of STAs at two time points was 41.3% vs 42.6%. Furthermore, no difference existed in the severity distribution of taste and smell survey, smell, or taste visual analog scale scores between the groups. Patients with initial symptoms of headache (P = 0.03) and muscle pain (P = 0.04) were more likely to develop STAs, whereas higher education; three-dose vaccination; no symptoms yet; or initial symptoms of cough, throat discomfort, and fever demonstrated protective effects, and the results were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of STAs did not decrease significantly during the Omicron dominance, but the severity was reduced, and vaccination demonstrated a protective effect. In addition, the findings suggest that the presence of STAs is likely to be an important indicator of viral invasion of the nervous system.

Drug-induced olfactory and gustatory dysfunction: Analysis of FDA adverse events reporting system.

OBJECTIVES: With the COVID-19 pandemic, there is growing interest and research in olfactory and gustatory dysfunction (OGD). Drug-induced dysfunction is an often overlooked etiology. While several medications include smell or taste disturbance as a side effect, there are no publications describing which medications are most frequently implicated. We aim to describe the patterns of these adverse drug reactions (ADRs) using the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS). METHODS: The FAERS database was queried from 2011 to 2021 for terms describing ADRs related to OGD. Terms included anosmia, hyposmia, olfactory test abnormal, olfactory nerve disorder, hallucination olfactory, parosmia, ageusia, hypogeusia, dysgeusia, and taste disorder. We identified the top reported medications associated with general smell dysfunction, general taste dysfunction, reduced smell, and altered smell. RESULTS: From 2011 to 2021, 16,091 ADRs were reported with OGD, of which13,641 (84.8%) and 2,450 (15.2%) were associated with gustatory and olfactory reactions, respectively. Zinc products (370 reports) and fluticasone propionate (214) were most commonly associated with olfactory dysfunction, specifically reduced olfaction. Varenicline (24) and fluticasone propionate (23) were most commonly associated with altered smell. Lenalidomide (490) and sunitinib (468) were most commonly associated with gustatory dysfunction. Antineoplastic and immunomodulating medications accounted for 21.6% and 36.3% of olfactory and gustatory ADRs, respectively. Among this category, immunoglobulin drugs were the most commonly associated with OGD ADRs. CONCLUSION: Gustatory dysfunction is more commonly reported ADR compared with olfactory dysfunction. Immunologic/rheumatologic medications are the leading culprit of reported OGD. With increasing numbers of patients presenting to otolaryngologists for OGD, it is important to consider drug-induced etiology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Self-reported symptoms in French primary care SARS-CoV-2 patients: association with gender and age group.

INTRODUCTION: The early identification of COVID-19 patients is of outmost importance in the current pandemic. As with other pathogens, presenting symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 may vary, depending on sociodemographic factors. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients by age/gender and to assess whether the diagnostic performance of these symptoms varied according to these variables. METHODS: We analysed data from a cross-sectional study involving primary care patients undergoing RT-PCR testing in Lyon, France. Among patients who tested positive, we examined whether there was an association between age/gender and various symptoms. In addition, we calculated the diagnostic performance of the most specific symptoms (smell/taste disorder). RESULTS: Among 1543 consecutive patients, 253 tested positive (16%). There were significant age/gender-related differences in symptoms. In middle-aged women, the diagnostic performance of smell/taste disorders were AUC = 0.65 [95%CI 0.59-0.71] and PPV = 72% [95%CI 53-87%], that is higher than in the entire sample (smell/taste disorders: AUC = 0.59 [95%CI 0.57-0.62] and PPV = 57% [95%CI 47-67%]. In contrast, the negative predictive values of smell/taste disorders were similar in both groups (85% [95%CI 81-89%] for middle-age women and 86% [95%CI 85-88%] for the entire sample). CONCLUSION: We found significant age/gender-related differences in the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients. Screening strategies based on smell/taste disorders performed better in middle-aged women, but could not ensure a diagnosis of COVID-19 in any subgroup of patients. Future diagnostic strategies should use age/gender differentiated approaches.

Subjective and psychophysical olfactory and gustatory dysfunction among COVID-19 outpatients; short- and long-term results.

BACKGROUND: Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions are early symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Between 20-80% of infected individuals report subjective altered sense of smell and/or taste during infection. Up to 2/3 of previously infected experience persistent olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction after 6 months. The aim of this study was to examine subjective and psychophysical olfactory and gustatory function in non-hospitalized individuals with acute COVID-19 up to 6 months after infection. METHODS: Individuals aged 18-80-years with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test no older than 10 days, were eligible. Only individuals able to visit the outpatient examination facilities were included. Gustatory function was tested with the Burgharts Taste Strips and olfactory function was examined with the Brief Smell Identifications test (Danish version). Subjective symptoms were examined through an online questionnaire at inclusion, day 30, 90 and 180 after inclusion. RESULTS: Fifty-eight SARS-CoV-2 positive and 56 negative controls were included. 58.6% (34/58) of SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals vs. 8.9% (5/56) of negative controls reported subjective olfactory dysfunction at inclusion. For gustatory dysfunction, 46.5% (27/58) of positive individuals reported impairment compared to 8.9% (5/56) of negative controls. In psychophysical tests, 75.9% (46/58) had olfactory dysfunction and 43.1% (25/58) had gustatory dysfunction among the SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals at inclusion. Compared to negative controls, SARS-CoV-2 infected had significantly reduced olfaction and gustation. Previously infected individuals continued to report lower subjective sense of smell 30 days after inclusion, whereafter the difference between the groups diminished. However, after 180 days, 20.7% (12/58) positive individuals still reported reduced sense of smell and taste. CONCLUSION: Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions are prevalent symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but there is inconsistency between subjective reporting and psychophysical test assessment of especially olfaction. Most individuals regain normal function after 30 days, but approximately 20% report persistent olfactory and gustatory dysfunction 6 months after infection.

Multiple Types of Taste Disorders among Patients with COVID-19.

Objective Based on the increasing incidence of smell and taste dysfunction among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, such issues have been considered an early symptom of infection. However, few studies have investigated the type of taste components that are most frequently affected in COVID-19 patients. This study investigated the difference in frequencies of the types of taste component disorders among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods In this retrospective, single-center, observational study, patients' background characteristics, clinical course, laboratory and radiological findings, and details on taste and/or smell disorders were collected and analyzed from medical records. Patients A total of 227 COVID-19 patients were enrolled, among whom 92 (40.5%) complained of taste disorders. Results Multiple types of taste disorders (hypogeusia/ageusia and hypersensitivity, or hypersensitivity and changing tastes) were reported in 10 patients. In particular, 23 patients reported hypersensitivity to at least 1 type of taste, and 2 patients complained of a bitter taste on consuming sweet foods. Impairment of all taste components was found in 48 patients (52.2%). The most frequent taste disorder was salty taste disorder (81 patients, 89.0%). Hypersensitivity to salty taste was most frequently observed (19 patients, 20.9%). Conclusion Patients with COVID-19 develop multiple types of taste disorders, among which salty taste disorder was the most frequent, with many patients developing hypersensitivity to salty taste. As smell and taste are subjective senses, further studies with the combined use of objective examinations will be required to confirm the findings.

Persisting Smell and Taste Disorders in Patients Who Recovered from SARS-CoV-2 Virus Infection-Data from the Polish PoLoCOV-CVD Study.

In the majority of cases, patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus experience a complete resolution of symptoms within six weeks of acquiring the infection, but an increasing number of patients report persistent symptoms. This study aimed to analyse the prevalence of self-reported smell and/or taste disorders (STDs) in a group of convalescent patients after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and to identify risk factors for the disease. The study included 2218 COVID-19 convalescents after both inpatient and outpatient treatment. The sample group was analysed with regard to chronic diseases, place of isolation and clinical symptoms occurring during COVID-19 along with their duration. The assessment also included the most common symptoms of COVID-19 and the severity of the disease course. A total of 98 patients reported persistent smell and taste disorders up to three months after the end of isolation (67.4% of men and 32.6% of women). The mean age of the participants was 53.8 ± 13.5 years (49.19 ± 14.68 in patients with an STD vs. 54.01 ± 13.44 in patients without an STD). The patients treated for COVID-19 at home (p < 0.001) constituted almost the entire group of patients with persistent smell and taste disorders (97%). Among the patients with persistent smell and taste disorders, 57.1% suffered from at least one chronic condition (vs. 71.4% of patients without an STD). In patients with an STD, the number of symptoms per patient was higher than in the other group at 8.87 ± 3.65 (p = 0.018), while the most common clinical symptoms during the acute phase of COVID-19 were smell and taste disorders (84%) (p < 0.001), significant weakness (70%), headache (60%), cough (55%), arthralgia (51%) (p = 0.034) and back muscle pain (51%). Based on the results obtained, the following conclusions were drawn: the risk of developing persistent smell and taste disorders after COVID-19 is greater in younger people with less comorbidities and a higher number of symptoms during the acute phase of COVID-19. The risk is associated with clinical symptoms occurring during the acute phase of COVID-19, i.e., smell and taste disorders and arthralgia. In addition, this risk is higher in patients receiving outpatient treatment for COVID-19.

Oral manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of predisposing factors and oral manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 204 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were included in the study. Questions regarding the systemic, periodontal health, oral hygiene habits, common symptoms and, oral manifestations of COVID-19 such as oral lesions, and dry mouth were included in the survey. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used. RESULTS: 47.5% of individuals had various systemic diseases. Dry mouth (44.2%) and oral lesions (22.4%) were the most common oral manifestations in COVID-19 patients. Also, dry mouth had the highest VAS score. The most common oral lesion locations were buccal mucosa (15.2%) and tongue (10.8%). The majority of participants (142 patients) were affected by taste disorders. Patients who received periodontal treatment before SARS-CoV-2 infection reported fewer oral complaint and manifestations than those who did not receive periodontal therapy (p=0.032). There was no statistically significant difference between males and females on the presence of any oral manifestations, and taste disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that SARS-CoV-2 could cause oral manifestations. However various predisposing factors may be part of the etiology and promote oral findings.

Prevalence Of Gustatory And Olfactory Impairment In Different Stages Of Sars-Cov-2 Infected Pateints In Isolation Ward.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the prevalence of gustatory and olfactory impairment and its correlation with the severity of SARS-Cov-2 infection as per WHO guidelines. METHODS: A total of 241 patients of both gender having age from 15-80 years were included in the study. It was cross Sectional study conducted at SARS-COV-2 Isolation wards of Pakistan institute of medical science Islamabad from 15thSeptember 2020 to 15th January 2021. Convenient sampling technique was used to collect data. A proforma was designed for this purpose. Participants were divided into 3 groups on the basis of age. Group-1 (15-30 years), group-2 (31-50 years) and group 3 (51-80 years). Further the participants were graded into mild, moderate and severe stages of Sars-Cov-2 infection according to WHO guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: In this study 66% were male and 34% population were the female. Regarding the age groups 72% population were from the group-3. Results of study shows 47% in mild stage, 45% in moderate stage and 8% severe stage. The results regarding the Gustatory and Olfactory impairment showed that 126 had gustatory impairment while 130 patients had olfactory impairment. CONCLUSIONS: We found strong relationship of olfactory and gustatory changes associated with SARS-COV-2 patients. It is premature to conclude that taste and smell changes are strongly linked to SARS-COV-2 diagnosis. Further multi center researches are required to find out possible pathophysiological mechanism.

Persisting chemosensory impairments in 366 healthcare workers following COVID-19: an 11-month follow-up.

Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions (OD, GD) are prevalent symptoms following COVID-19 and persist in 6%-44% of individuals post-infection. As only few reports have described their prognosis after 6 months, our main objective was to assess the prevalence of OD and GD 11-month post-COVID-19. We also aimed to determine intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of chemosensory self-ratings for the follow-up of chemosensory sensitivity. We designed an observational study and distributed an online questionnaire assessing chemosensory function to healthcare workers with a RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection 5- and 11-month post-COVID-19. Specifically, we assessed olfaction, gustation, and trigeminal sensitivity (10-point visual analog scale) and function (4-point Likert scale). We further measured clinically relevant OD using the Chemosensory Perception Test, a psychophysical test designed to provide a reliable remote olfactory evaluation. We included a total of 366 participants (mean [SD] age of 44.8 (11.7) years old). They completed the last online questionnaire 10.6 months (0.7) after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. Of all participants, 307 (83.9%) and 301 (82.2%) individuals retrospectively reported lower olfactory or gustatory sensitivity during the acute phase of COVID-19. At the time of evaluation, 184 (50.3%) and 163 (44.5%) indicated reduced chemosensory sensitivity, 32.2% reported impairment of olfactory function while 24.9% exhibited clinically relevant OD. Olfactory sensitivity had a high test-retest reliability (ICC: 0.818; 95% CI: 0.760-0.860). This study suggests that chemosensory dysfunctions persist in a third of COVID-19 patients 11 months after COVID-19. OD appears to be a common symptom of post-COVID-19 important to consider when treating patients.

PREVALENCE OF SENSORY DYSFUNCTIONS IN ADULT UKRAINIAN POPULATION WITH LABORATORY CONFIRMED COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To analyse the structure of sensory impairments, associated with COVID-19. To identify terms of recovery periods depending on severity of disease, age and gender of the patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Within two weeks, 2225 patients with confirmed COVID-19 completed a questionnaire, created by Google Forms. General complaints, peculiarities of sensory impairments and recovery time were specified. After exclusion criteria application, data of 2108 patients were analyzed by R Statistics Package, Student's t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Fisher's exact test, Spearman's rank test. RESULTS: Results: Among patients enrolled (973 males and 1135 females, mean age 28.6±0.18) the most frequent were olfactory (91.32%) and gustatory (66.03%) dysfunctions. Olfactory manifestations were usually accompanied by gustatory disorders (73.72%). Average duration of olfactory dysfunction was 15.46±0.45 days, gustatory - 11.3±0.33, hearing - 4.3±0.16, and visual - 6.53±0.23 days. It was found a correlation between duration of olfactory and gustatory impairments (r=0.65; p < 0.001), hearing and visual disorders (r=0.49; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Olfactory and gustatory disorders are prevalent symptoms in Ukrainian population. 7.87% of respondents who had impairment of all four sensory functions had the longest recovery time. Duration of sensory impairments did not depend on age, type of treatment and severity of disease, which rises the question about the neurogenic pathway of virus.

Long-term prevalence of taste and olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to investigate the long-term prevalence of taste disorder (TD) and olfactory disorder (OD) and associated risk factors in the non-hospitalized southeastern Brazil population of COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional open survey evaluated possible long-term OD and TD in non-hospitalized patients who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 for more than 30 days, through an online self-report questionnaire. Demographic data, comorbidities, symptoms, and the intensity of OD and TD at the time of diagnosis and at the time of completing the questionnaire were evaluated. RESULTS: Three hundred five responses were included. The reported prevalence of OD and TD was 72.9% and 67.4%, respectively, in the moment of diagnosis; after a mean follow-up period of 179 days, 45% and 50% still had some degree of the symptoms. There was a positive correlation between age and the high prevalence of OD (p = 0.02). However, there was no correlation between age and TD (p = 0.961) and weight in relation to OD/TD (p = 0.500 and p = 0.636, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study observed a high long-term prevalence of OD and TD associated with COVID-19, with a low recovery rate during the study period. There was a positive association between older participants and the prevalence of OD.

Course of post COVID-19 disease symptoms over time in the ComPaRe long COVID prospective e-cohort.

About 10% of people infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 experience post COVID-19 disease. We analysed data from 968 adult patients (5350 person-months) with a confirmed infection enroled in the ComPaRe long COVID cohort, a disease prevalent prospective e-cohort of such patients in France. Day-by-day prevalence of post COVID-19 symptoms was determined from patients' responses to the Long COVID Symptom Tool, a validated self-reported questionnaire assessing 53 symptoms. Among patients symptomatic after 2 months, 85% still reported symptoms one year after their symptom onset. Evolution of symptoms showed a decreasing prevalence over time for 27/53 symptoms (e.g., loss of taste/smell); a stable prevalence over time for 18/53 symptoms (e.g., dyspnoea), and an increasing prevalence over time for 8/53 symptoms (e.g., paraesthesia). The disease impact on patients' lives began increasing 6 months after onset. Our results are of importance to understand the natural history of post COVID-19 disease.