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Self-reported and clinically identified loss of smell and taste among persons tested for COVID-19 in Chennai, southern India, July-August 2020: A cross sectional study.
Jeyashree, Kathiresan; Raju, Mohankumar; Ponnaiah, Manickam; Muthappan, Sendhilkumar; Rozario, Amanda G A; Raichel, Rose; Jeris, W Lydia; Gangakhedkar, Raman R; Murhekar, Manoj V.
  • Jeyashree K; ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • Raju M; ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • Ponnaiah M; ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • Muthappan S; ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • Rozario AGA; ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • Raichel R; Dr.Mehta's Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • Jeris WL; Dr.Mehta's Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • Gangakhedkar RR; Division of Epidemiology & Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India.
  • Murhekar MV; ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Clin Epidemiol Glob Health ; 11: 100718, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1128913
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Early detection of symptoms of loss of smell and taste lately added for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has the potential for improving pandemic response. In the Indian context, we compared proportion experiencing new loss of smell or taste among COVID-19 positive and negative individuals in Chennai city, Southern India.

METHODS:

We did an analytical cross-sectional study among individuals aged 18-80 years undergoing testing at COVID-19 sample collection centres. We ascertained loss of smell and taste using standardised self-reporting and clinical examination procedures. We administered Sino Nasal Outcome (SNOT 22) questionnaire for comprehensive understanding of these symptoms. We compared proportion having symptoms between COVID-19 positive and negative persons. We compared the two assessment methods to compute diagnostic validity indicators.

RESULTS:

Of the 277 participants, 169 (61%) were men and mean age of 40.7 years [SD = 13.3]. Fifty eight (21%) had COVID-19 and 12 (36%) of them were asymptomatic. Predominantly reported symptoms were fever (30%), headache (18%) and cough (18%). Self-reported or clinically identified new loss of smell or taste was higher among COVID-19 positive (n = 13; 22%) than negative persons (n = 23; 11%) [p = 0.02]. Sensitivity was higher for self-reported or clinically identified loss of smell (17.2%) than that of loss of taste (6.9%). Negative predictive value for loss of smell or taste, self-reported or clinically identified was 81%. Likelihood ratio of positive test was 2.13.

CONCLUSION:

Loss of smell or taste are predominantly reported by COVID-19 confirmed individuals. Objective and subjective assessments of smell and taste may be required to identify those requiring COVID-19 testing.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal: Clin Epidemiol Glob Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.cegh.2021.100718

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal: Clin Epidemiol Glob Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.cegh.2021.100718