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Liu M, Ma R, Cao X, Zhang H, Zhou S, Jiang W, Jiang Y, Sun J, Yang Q, Li X, Sun Y, Shi L, Wang M, Song X, Chen F, Zhang X, Wei H, Yu S, Zhu D, Ba L, Cao Z, Xiao X, Wei X, Lin Z, Chen F, Shan C, Wang G, Ye J, Qu S, Zhao C, Wang Z, Li H, Liu F, Cui X, Ye S, Liu Z, Xu Y, Cai X, Huang W, Zhang R, Zhao Y, Yu G, Shi G, Lu M, Shen Y, Zhao Y, Pei J, Xie S, Yu L, Liu Y, Gu S, Yang Y, Cheng L, liu J. Incidence and prognosis of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain infection in China: A national multicenter survey of 35,566 individuals. World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024; 10:113-120. [PMID: 38855290 PMCID: PMC11156687 DOI: 10.1002/wjo2.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the epidemiology of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to COVID-19 in China. Methods This study was conducted by 45 tertiary Grade-A hospitals in China. Online and offline questionnaire data were obtained from patients infected with COVID-19 between December 28, 2022, and February 21, 2023. The collected information included basic demographics, medical history, smoking and drinking history, vaccination history, changes in olfactory and gustatory functions before and after infection, and other postinfection symptoms, as well as the duration and improvement status of olfactory and gustatory disorders. Results Complete questionnaires were obtained from 35,566 subjects. The overall incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunction was 67.75%. Being female or being a cigarette smoker increased the likelihood of developing olfactory and taste dysfunction. Having received four doses of the vaccine or having good oral health or being a alcohol drinker decreased the risk of such dysfunction. Before infection, the average olfactory and taste VAS scores were 8.41 and 8.51, respectively; after infection, they decreased to 3.69 and 4.29 and recovered to 5.83 and 6.55 by the time of the survey. The median duration of dysosmia and dysgeusia was 15 and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% of patients having symptoms lasting for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate was 59.16%. Recovery was higher in males, never smokers, those who received two or three vaccine doses, and those that had never experienced dental health issues, or chronic accompanying symptoms. Conclusions The incidence of dysosmia and dysgeusia following infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is high in China. Incidence and prognosis are influenced by several factors, including sex, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, history of head-facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking and drinking history, and the persistence of accompanying symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng‐Fan Liu
- Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryChina‐Japan Friendship HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Rui‐Xia Ma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe First People′s Hospital of YinchuanYinchuanChina
| | - Xian‐Bao Cao
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologyThe First People′s Hospital of Yunnan ProvinceKunmingChina
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityUrumqiChina
| | - Shui‐Hong Zhou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Wei‐Hong Jiang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryXiangya Hospital Central South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yan Jiang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Jing‐Wu Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCHefeiChina
| | - Qin‐Tai Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xue‐Zhong Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Ya‐Nan Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Li Shi
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Second Hospital of Shandong UniversityShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryPeking University People′s HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Xi‐Cheng Song
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding HospitalQingdao UniversityYantaiChina
| | - Fu‐Quan Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xijing HospitalThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi′anChina
| | - Xiao‐Shu Zhang
- Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and PreventionLanzhouChina
| | - Hong‐Quan Wei
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Shao‐Qing Yu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji HospitalTongji Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Dong‐Dong Zhu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryChina‐Japan Union Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Luo Ba
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryXizang Autonomous Region People′s HospitalLasaChina
| | - Zhi‐Wei Cao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Xu‐Ping Xiao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryHunan Provincial People′s HospitalChangshaChina
| | - Xin Wei
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryHainan General HospitalHaikouChina
| | - Zhi‐Hong Lin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Feng‐Hong Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Chun‐Guang Shan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangChina
| | - Guang‐Ke Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryHenan Provincial People′s HospitalZhengzhouChina
| | - Jing Ye
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangChina
| | - Shen‐Hong Qu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryGuangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People′s HospitalNanningChina
| | - Chang‐Qing Zhao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryShanxi Medical University Affiliated Second HospitalTaiyuanChina
| | - Zhen‐Lin Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, XuanWu HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Hua‐Bin Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiao‐Bo Cui
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical UniversityHohhotChina
| | - Sheng‐Nan Ye
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Yu Xu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Xiao Cai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryQinghai Provincial People′s HospitalXiningChina
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryTianjin Huanhu HospitalTianjinChina
| | - Ru‐Xin Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryHuadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yu‐Lin Zhao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Guo‐Dong Yu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical UniversityGuiyangChina
| | - Guang‐Gang Shi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial HospitalAffiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
| | - Mei‐Ping Lu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Clinical Allergy Center, The First Affiliated HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Yu‐Tong Zhao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe First People′s Hospital of YinchuanYinchuanChina
| | - Jia‐Hong Pei
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologyThe First People′s Hospital of Yunnan ProvinceKunmingChina
| | - Shao‐Bing Xie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryXiangya Hospital Central South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Long‐Gang Yu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Ye‐Hai Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Shao‐Wei Gu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Yu‐Cheng Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Lei Cheng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Clinical Allergy Center, The First Affiliated HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jian‐Feng liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryChina‐Japan Friendship HospitalBeijingChina
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Stanley HB, Pereda-Campos V, Mantel M, Rouby C, Daudé C, Aguera PE, Fornoni L, Hummel T, Weise S, Mignot C, Konstantinidis I, Garefis K, Ferdenzi C, Pierron D, Bensafi M. Identification of the needs of individuals affected by COVID-19. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2024; 4:83. [PMID: 38724573 PMCID: PMC11082167 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-024-00510-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The optimal management of COVID-19 symptoms and their sequelae remains an important area of clinical research. Policy makers have little scientific data regarding the effects on the daily life of affected individuals and the identification of their needs. Such data are needed to inform effective care policy. METHODS We studied 639 people with COVID-19 resident in France via an online questionnaire. They reported their symptoms, effects on daily life, and resulting needs, with particular focus on olfaction. RESULTS The results indicate that a majority of participants viewed their symptoms as disabling, with symptoms affecting their physical and mental health, social and professional lives. 60% of the individuals reported having unmet medical, psychological and socio-professional support needs. Finally, affected individuals were concerned about the risk and invasiveness of possible treatments as shown by a preference for non-invasive intervention over surgery to cure anosmia. CONCLUSIONS It is important that policy makers take these needs into consideration in order to assist affected individuals to regain a normal quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halina B Stanley
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, NEUROPOP, F-69500, Bron, France.
| | - Veronica Pereda-Campos
- Équipe de Médecine Evolutive Faculté de chirurgie dentaire-UMR5288, CNRS/Université Paul-Sabatier Toulouse III, Toulouse, 31400, France
| | - Marylou Mantel
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, NEUROPOP, F-69500, Bron, France
- Équipe de Médecine Evolutive Faculté de chirurgie dentaire-UMR5288, CNRS/Université Paul-Sabatier Toulouse III, Toulouse, 31400, France
| | - Catherine Rouby
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, NEUROPOP, F-69500, Bron, France
| | - Christelle Daudé
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, NEUROPOP, F-69500, Bron, France
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Aguera
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, NEUROPOP, F-69500, Bron, France
| | - Lesly Fornoni
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, NEUROPOP, F-69500, Bron, France
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinlaryngology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susanne Weise
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinlaryngology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Coralie Mignot
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinlaryngology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Iordanis Konstantinidis
- 2nd Academic ORL Department, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Garefis
- 2nd Academic ORL Department, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Camille Ferdenzi
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, NEUROPOP, F-69500, Bron, France
| | - Denis Pierron
- Équipe de Médecine Evolutive Faculté de chirurgie dentaire-UMR5288, CNRS/Université Paul-Sabatier Toulouse III, Toulouse, 31400, France
| | - Moustafa Bensafi
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, NEUROPOP, F-69500, Bron, France.
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Lötsch J, Brosig O, Slobodova J, Kringel D, Haehner A, Hummel T. Diagnosed and subjectively perceived long-term effects of COVID-19 infection on olfactory function assessed by supervised machine learning. Chem Senses 2024; 49:bjad051. [PMID: 38213039 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjad051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Loss of olfactory function is a typical acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptom, at least in early variants of SARS-CoV2. The time that has elapsed since the emergence of COVID-19 now allows for assessing the long-term prognosis of its olfactory impact. Participants (n = 722) of whom n = 464 reported having had COVID-19 dating back with a mode of 174 days were approached in a museum as a relatively unbiased environment. Olfactory function was diagnosed by assessing odor threshold and odor identification performance. Subjects also rated their actual olfactory function on an 11-point numerical scale [0,…10]. Neither the frequency of olfactory diagnostic categories nor olfactory test scores showed any COVID-19-related effects. Olfactory diagnostic categories (anosmia, hyposmia, or normosmia) were similarly distributed among former patients and controls (0.86%, 18.97%, and 80.17% for former patients and 1.17%, 17.51%, and 81.32% for controls). Former COVID-19 patients, however, showed differences in their subjective perception of their own olfactory function. The impact of this effect was substantial enough that supervised machine learning algorithms detected past COVID-19 infections in new subjects, based on reduced self-awareness of olfactory performance and parosmia, while the diagnosed olfactory function did not contribute any relevant information in this context. Based on diagnosed olfactory function, results suggest a positive prognosis for COVID-19-related olfactory loss in the long term. Traces of former infection are found in self-perceptions of olfaction, highlighting the importance of investigating the long-term effects of COVID-19 using reliable and validated diagnostic measures in olfactory testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörn Lötsch
- Goethe-University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Oskar Brosig
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jana Slobodova
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pardubice, Faculty of Health Studies, Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Dario Kringel
- Goethe-University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Antje Haehner
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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Lechien JR, Vaira LA, Saussez S. Prevalence and 24-month recovery of olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients: A multicentre prospective study. J Intern Med 2023; 293:82-90. [PMID: 36000469 PMCID: PMC9538281 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence and recovery of olfactory dysfunction (OD) in COVID-19 patients 24 months after the infection. METHODS From 22 March 2020 to 5 June 2022, 251 COVID-19 patients were followed in three European medical centres. Olfactory function was assessed with subjective patient-reported outcome questionnaires and odour identification tests at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months postinfection. The predictive values of epidemiological and clinical data were investigated with multivariate analysis. RESULTS One hundred and seventy-one patients completed the evaluations. The odour identification test revealed that 123 patients (50.8%) had OD at baseline. The prevalence of persistent psychophysical abnormalities at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months post-COVID-19 was 24.2%, 17.9%, 5.8% and 2.9%, respectively (p = 0.001). Parosmia occurred in 40 patients (23.4%) and lasted 60 ± 119 days. At 2 years, 51 patients (29.8%) self reported that their olfaction was unnormalised. Older patients had better odour identification evaluations at baseline (p < 0.001) but those with OD reported lower odour identification test scores at the end of the follow-up. Parosmia occurred more frequently in young patients. The olfactory training was significantly associated with higher values of Sniffin' Sticks tests at 18 months postinfection (rs = 0.678; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Two years post-COVID-19, 29.8% of patients reported persistent OD, but only 2.9% had abnormal identification psychophysical evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome R Lechien
- Department of Otolaryngology, Polyclinic of Poitiers-Elsan, Poitiers, France.,Department of Human Anatomy and Experimental Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, UMONS Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons (UMons), Mons, Belgium.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Foch Hospital, School of Medicine, UFR Simone Veil, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (Paris Saclay University), Paris, France.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, EpiCURA Hospital, Baudour, Belgium
| | - Luigi A Vaira
- Maxillofacial Surgery Operative Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,Biomedical Science Department, PhD School of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Sven Saussez
- Department of Human Anatomy and Experimental Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, UMONS Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons (UMons), Mons, Belgium.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, EpiCURA Hospital, Baudour, Belgium
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Mendes Paranhos AC, Nazareth Dias ÁR, Machado da Silva LC, Vieira Hennemann Koury G, de Jesus Sousa E, Cerasi AJ, Souza GS, Simões Quaresma JA, Magno Falcão LF. Sociodemographic Characteristics and Comorbidities of Patients With Long COVID and Persistent Olfactory Dysfunction. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2230637. [PMID: 36074464 PMCID: PMC9459661 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.30637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Determining the characteristics, type, and severity of olfactory dysfunction in patients with long COVID is important for the prognosis and potential treatment of the affected population. OBJECTIVE To describe the sociodemographic and clinical features of patients with long COVID who develop persistent olfactory dysfunction. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study, conducted at a rehabilitation center at a public university in the Amazon region of Brazil between September 9, 2020, and October 20, 2021, comprised 219 patients with long COVID and self-reported neurologic symptoms. Of these 219 patients, 139 received a diagnosis of chronic olfactory dysfunction, as confirmed by the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) test. EXPOSURE Clinical diagnosis of long COVID. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Electronic case report forms were prepared for the collection of sociodemographic and clinical data. Patients' sense of smell was evaluated via a CCCRC test, and the association of olfactory dysfunction with aspects of daily life was recorded using a questionnaire. RESULTS Of the 219 patients included in the study, 164 (74.9%) were women, 194 (88.6%) were between 18 and 59 years of age (mean [SD] age, 43.2 [12.9] years), 206 (94.1%) had more than 9 years of education, and 115 (52.5%) had a monthly income of up to US $192.00. In the study group, 139 patients (63.5%) had some degree of olfactory dysfunction, whereas 80 patients (36.5%) had normosmia. Patients with olfactory dysfunction had a significantly longer duration of long COVID symptoms than those in the normosmia group (mean [SD], 242.7 [101.9] vs 221.0 [97.5] days; P = .01). Among patients with anosmia, there was a significant association between olfactory dysfunction and daily activities, especially in terms of impairment in hazard detection (21 of 31 patients [67.7%]), personal hygiene (21 of 31 patients [67.7%]), and food intake (21 of 31 patients [67.7%]). Univariable logistic regression analyses found that ageusia symptoms were associated with the occurrence of olfactory dysfunction (odds ratio [OR], 11.14 [95% CI, 4.76-26.07]; P < .001), whereas headache (OR, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.22-0.76]; P < .001) and sleep disorders (OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.26-0.92]; P = .02) showed an inverse association with the occurrence of olfactory dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Olfactory dysfunction is one of the most important long-term neurologic symptoms of COVID-19, with the highest prevalence seen among women, adults, and outpatients. Patients with olfactory dysfunction may experience persistent severe hyposmia or anosmia more than 1 year from the onset of symptoms, suggesting the possibility of the condition becoming a permanent sequela.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alna Carolina Mendes Paranhos
- Tropical Medicine Center, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Biological and Health Center, Pará State University, Belém, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Antônio José Cerasi
- Biological Science Center, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Cosmopolita College, Belém, Brazil
| | - Givago Silva Souza
- Tropical Medicine Center, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Biological Science Center, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Juarez Antônio Simões Quaresma
- Tropical Medicine Center, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Biological and Health Center, Pará State University, Belém, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fábio Magno Falcão
- Biological and Health Center, Pará State University, Belém, Brazil
- University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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