Abdelazim MH, Mandour Z, Abdelazim AH, Ismaiel WF, Gamal M, Abourehab MA, Alghamdi S, Alghamdi MA, Alrugi RR, Alharthi RR. Intra Nasal Use of Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid for Improving Olfactory Dysfunction Post COVID-19.
Am J Rhinol Allergy 2023;
37:630-637. [PMID:
37786364 PMCID:
PMC10293862 DOI:
10.1177/19458924231184055]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 has been associated with olfactory dysfunction in many infected patients. The rise of calcium levels in the nasal secretions plays an essential role in the olfaction process with a desensitization effect on the olfactory receptor neurons and a negative impact on the olfaction transmission. Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) is a chelating agent that can bind free calcium in the nasal secretions, thereby reducing the adverse effects of calcium on olfactory function.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this work is to demonstrate the effect of intranasal EDTA on improving olfactory dysfunction following COVID-19.
METHODS
Fifty patients with a history of COVID-19 and olfactory dysfunction that persisted for more than 6 months were enrolled in the current prospective randomized clinical trial. Participants were randomized into 2 equal groups. Twenty-five patients were treated with olfactory training only, while the remaining 25 patients received treatment with olfactory training and a topical nasal spray of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid. The olfactory function was assessed before treatment and 3 months later using the Sniffin' Sticks test. Additionally, the determination of calcium level in the nasal secretions was performed using an ion-selective electrode before treatment and 3 months later.
RESULTS
Eighty-eight percent of the patients treated with olfactory training in addition to EDTA exhibited clinical improvement, while 60% showed improvement in patients treated with olfactory training only. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the measured calcium level in the nasal secretions was demonstrated after the use of ethylene diamine tetra compared to patients treated with olfactory training only.
CONCLUSION
Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid may be associated with an improvement of the olfactory function post-COVID-19.
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