RESUMO
BackgroundPersistent post-viral olfactory disorders (PPVOD) are widely reported after a COVID-19 and estimate to 30% one year after infection. Parosmias are the main qualitative dysosmia associated with olfaction recovery. No treatment is, to date, significantly efficient on PPVOD except olfactory training (OT). The main objective of this work was to evaluate OT efficiency on post-COVID-19 PPVOD. MethodsConsecutive patients consulting to the ENT department with post-COVID-19 PPVOD were included after mainly clinical examination, the complete Sniffin Stick Test (TDI), the short version of the Questionnaire of olfactory disorders and the SF-36. Patients were trained to practice a self-olfactory training (professional manufactured olfactory training kit) twice a day for 6 months before coming back and undergo the same complete evaluation. ResultsForty-three patients were included and performed 3,5 months of OT in average. There was a significant improvement in the mean TDI score increasing from 24,7 ({+/-}8,9) before the OT to 30,9 ({+/-}9,8) (p<0,001). Parosmias increased significantly from 8 (18,6%) to 27 (62.8%) (p<0,001). Based on normative data divided by sex and age, a significant increase in the number of normosmic participants was only found for the Threshold values (p<0,001). Specific and general olfaction-related quality of life improved after the OT. ConclusionsOT seems to be efficient in post-COVID-19 PPVOD, probably on the peripheral regenerative part of the olfactory recovery. Future therapeutic strategies may focus on the central aspects of the post-COVID-19 PPVOD.
RESUMO
BackgroundOlfactory impairment is a major sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection and has a negative impact on daily life quality. Olfactory loss can be assessed in many ways but seems to be little realized in a daily clinical practice. The sniffin Sticks test - 12 items (SST-12) can be used in quick olfactory disorders screening. Its use in a post-covid19 situation was the main objective of this work. MethodologyConsecutive patients consulting to the ENT department with post-Covid-19 olfactory loss were included. The clinical examination included an analog scale for the self-assessment of olfactory recovery (VAS), self-reported salt and sugar intake, a nasofibroscopy, the complete Sniffin Stick Test (SST) and the SST-12. ResultsAmong the 54 patients included, based on the SST-12, 14,8% (n=8) of the patients could be classified as normosmic (SST-12[≥]11), 48,1% (n=26) as hyposmic (6< SST-12<10) and 37% (n=20) as functional anosmic (SST-12[≤]6). We report excellent and significant correlations between SST-12 and SST or VAS assessments. Salt and Sugar increased intake seems significantly related to SST-12 results. ConclusionsSST-12 is a reliable way to screen post-COVID-19 olfactory disorders could be used in a daily clinical practice and might be used to prevent bad diet habits and so cardiovascular risk.
