Olfactory and Taste Dysfunction in Patients with Asymptomatic and Mildly Symptomatic COVID-19 in Korea

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives@#The association between chemosensory dysfunction (CSD) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunction in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients with COVID-19 and to evaluate the symptoms associated with CSD in patients with COVID-19.Materials and Method: On March 9, 2020, 309 patients with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were admitted to the No. 7 Community Treatment Center in Korea. An internet-based survey about symptomatology was administered to these patients, with responses obtained from 244 (79.0%). Subjects who completed the survey were enrolled in this study and were categorized into either a CSD group or a normal chemosensory group based on the presence or absence of CSD, respectively. @*Results@#General symptoms, including fever, myalgia, and chills, were most common (29.1%), followed by upper respiratory tract infection (URI) symptoms (20.9%), CSD (20.5%), and nasal symptoms (13.5%). In patients with CSD (n=50), 10 (4.1%) reported no other symptoms. After adjustment for age, sex, past medical history, and other symptoms, general symptoms [odds ratio (OR), 3.63; confidence interval (CI), 1.70-7.76] and nasal symptoms (OR, 7.00; CI, 2.61-18.80) were significantly associated with CSD. @*Conclusion@#The incidence of CSD was relatively high (20.5%) in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients with COVID-19. General symptoms were independent risk factors of CSD, suggesting a sensorineural mechanism for the observed olfactory and taste dysfunction.