In:
Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wiley, Vol. 164, No. 3 ( 2021-03), p. 512-518
Abstract:
Our study aimed to measure the percentage of reported olfactory or taste losses and their severity, recovery time, and association with other features in a large cohort of patients with COVID‐19. Study Design Prospective survey. Setting Quaternary medical center and online survey. Methods The perceived chemosensory capacities of 655 patients with confirmed COVID‐19 were assessed with 11‐point category rating scales (0, no function; 10, normal function). Patients were contacted in hospital, by phone calls, or by internet regarding their ability to smell or taste, and 143 were interviewed by phone 1 to 4 months later to assess the recovery of their chemosensory abilities. Results The prevalence of self‐reported olfactory, general taste, and taste quality–specific disturbances (sweet, sour, bitter, and salty) in the patients with COVID‐19 were 82.4% (95% CI, 79.5%‐85.3%), 76.2% (95% CI, 72.9%‐79.4%), and 52.2% (95% CI, 48.3%‐56.1%), respectively. The majority reported anosmia (42.9%). The presence of chemosensory symptoms was not associated with COVID‐19 severity. At a median time 〉 2 months after the onset of symptoms, rates of total and partial olfaction recovery were 53.8% and 44.7%, while complete or partial return to previous taste function was 68.3% and 27.6%. Less than 5% of the patients reported no chemosensory function improvement at all. Conclusion The prevalence of self‐reported chemosensory dysfunction is high among patients with COVID‐19. Almost all patients seem to recover a significant part of their smell and taste abilities in the first 4 months after the onset of symptoms.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0194-5998
,
1097-6817
DOI:
10.1177/0194599820954825
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2008453-5
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