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Younger adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 exhibited more prevalent olfactory dysfunction in Taiwan.
Cheng, Meng-Yu; Hsih, Wen-Hsin; Ho, Mao-Wang; Lai, Yi-Chyi; Liao, Wei-Chih; Chen, Chih-Yu; Chen, Tsung-Chia; Lee, Yu-Lin; Liu, Po-Yu; Kao, Chih-Chuan; Chou, Chia-Huei; Lin, Po-Chang; Chi, Chih-Yu; Leong, Lih-Ying; Tai, Chih-Jaan; Lu, Min-Chi.
  • Cheng MY; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: d23214@mail.cmuh.org.tw.
  • Hsih WH; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: kelly9502016@gmail.com.
  • Ho MW; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • Lai YC; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • Liao WC; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • Chen CY; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • Chen TC; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • Lee YL; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
  • Liu PY; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • Kao CC; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • Chou CH; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • Lin PC; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • Chi CY; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • Leong LY; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • Tai CJ; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Health Services Administration, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: cjtai@mail.cmu.edu.tw.
  • Lu MC; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: luminchi@outlook.com.
J Microbiol Immunol Infect ; 54(5): 794-800, 2021 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1071666
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is rapidly transmitted from person to person, causing global pandemic since December 2019. Instantly detecting COVID-19 is crucial for epidemic prevention. In this study, olfactory dysfunction is a significant symptom in mild to moderate COVID-19 patients but relatively rare in other respiratory viral infections. The Taiwan smell identification test (TWSIT) is a speedy and inexpensive option for accurately distinguishing anosmia that also quantifies the degree of anosmia. Using TWSIT in the outpatient clinic for early identifying the patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 can be promising.

METHODS:

Nineteen patients confirmed COVID-19 in central Taiwan were collected and divided into two groups olfactory dysfunction and non-olfactory dysfunction. Demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, and the results of the olfactory test were compared between these two groups.

FINDINGS:

Thirteen (68.4%) of the 19 patients had olfactory dysfunction. The patients with olfactory dysfunction were younger than those without this symptom. The statistical difference in age distribution was significant between these two groups (IQR 25.5-35.5 vs. IQR 32.5-60.3; p-value 0.012). There was no significant difference in gender, smoking history, comorbidities, travel history, respiratory tract infection symptoms, and laboratory findings between these two groups.

CONCLUSION:

This study demonstrated that young adults were prone to develop olfactory dysfunctions. In the flu season, olfactory dysfunction is considered a specific screening criterion for early detecting COVID-19 in the community. TWSIT can serve as a decent test for quantifying and qualifying olfactory dysfunction.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Olfaction Disorders Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Child / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: J Microbiol Immunol Infect Journal subject: Allergy and Immunology / Microbiology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Olfaction Disorders Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Child / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: J Microbiol Immunol Infect Journal subject: Allergy and Immunology / Microbiology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article