Chen Y, Geng Y, Jiang J, Xiong G, Lei C. Smell and taste dysfunction in patients infected with the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2.
Acta Otolaryngol 2023;
143:489-494. [PMID:
37326433 DOI:
10.1080/00016489.2023.2223243]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Smell and taste dysfunctions (STD) are frequently observed in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the clinical characteristics of STD in COVID-19 patients.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
One-hundred six COVID-19 adult patients with the Omicron variant were enrolled. The clinical features of patients with and without STD were compared using questionnaires, laboratory tests, and imaging examinations.
RESULTS
Of the 76 patients with smell and/or taste dysfunction, age (p = .002), vaccination time (p = .024), history of systemic diseases (p = .032), and smoking status (p = .044) were significantly different from those of the controls (n = 34). Fatigue (p = .001), headache (p = .004), myalgia (p = .047), and gastrointestinal discomfort (p = .001) were observed more frequently in these patients than in controls. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score of these patients was significantly higher than that of controls (p < .001). The taste visual assessment scale score of the STD group was significantly lower than that of the taste dysfunction group (p = .001), and perceptions of sour, sweet, and salty tastes were worse in the STD group than in the taste dysfunction group (p < .001).
CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE
COVID-19 patients had similar changes in smell and/or taste dysfunctions and worse emotional states, possibly correlated with some factors, including age and vaccination time.
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