The effects of COVID-19 on the vestibular system

Analysis of characteristics of and risk factors for otological symptoms after COVID-19 infection

The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of and risk factors for otological symptoms after contracting COVID-19. We invited 468 participants who had been infected with COVID-19 to participate in a survey. 310 (66.2%) were women and 158 (33.8%) were men. The mean age is 38.73 (12.21) years. The questionnaire included their basic information, symptoms and symptom duration after SARS-CoV-2 infection, number of vaccine doses received, and details regarding otological symptoms. In total, 106/468 (22.6%) participants experienced tinnitus, 66/468 (14.1%) hearing loss, 103/468 (22.0%) aural fullness, and 71/468 (15.2%) dizziness. Women were more prone to experience tinnitus (P = 0.022) and dizziness (P = 0.001) than men. The group with hearing loss were older (P = 0.025), and their initial COVID-19 symptoms lasted longer (P = 0.028) than those of patients without. Patients with aural fullness were more likely to experience fatigue than patients without (P = 0.002). Patients experiencing dizziness were more likely to experience pharyngalgia (P = 0.040) and fatigue (P = 0.005) than those without. The number of vaccine doses was positively associated with the resolution of otological symptoms (P = 0.035). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that sex was an independent risk factor for tinnitus (odds ratio [OR], 1.802; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.099-2.953; P = 0.020), the duration of initial COVID-19 symptoms for hearing loss (OR, 1.055; 95% CI, 1.008-1.105; P = 0.023), and sex for dizziness (OR, 2.870; 95% CI, 1.489-5.535; P = 0.002). Sex, age, COVID-19-related fatigue, and the duration of initial COVID-19 symptoms may affect the occurrence of otological symptoms, and vaccines may aid their resolution.

Balance Disorders in People with History of COVID-19 in Light of Posturographic Tests

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), resulting from infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causes not only flu-like symptoms, such as fever, aches, or a dry cough, but also affects the sensory system, leading to a loss of smell and taste or to neurological deficits in the shape of balance disorders and dizziness.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Our research aimed to assess the prevalence of balance disorders in patients who had suffered COVID-19.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 73 subjects with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The control group consisted of 50 healthy people with similar demographics. A balance analysis was performed on a tensometric platform, using the Romberg test.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences between the results of the study group and the control group were obtained in the evaluation of the length of body sways and the area of gravity center, both with open and closed eyes, and in the case of maximum body sways with open eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who have suffered COVID-19 may suffer from balance disorders detectable by posturographic tests.