A Cross-Sectional Study of Olfactory and Taste Disorders in COVID-19 Patients in China

Abstract

Objective To determine the prevalance and features of olfactory and taste disorders in coronavirus disease of 2019（CoVID-19）patients in China. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed from 3 April to 15 April 2020 in Wuhan. A total of 187 patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection completed face-to-face interviews or telephone follow-up. Patients information including epidemiological, clinical, imaging, and serological records and treatment and outcomes data. Patients were further evaluated using questionnaires and visual analogue scale. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software (version 22.0). Results The enrolled 187 patients, 23 (12.3%) reported olfactory disorders, 42 (22.46%) reported taste disorders. Females are more prone to olfactory and taste disorders. Among patients that can clearly describe the fluctuation of olfactory and taste disfunctions, 4 (20.0%) and 7(18.92%) cases occurred before other symptoms appeared, the average number of days in advance was 3.5 and 3.57, respectively. The majority of patients can return to normal or basic normal, but in 4(17.39%) and 9(21.43%) cases olfactory and taste can not fully recoveried during the research period. Conclusions Prevalence of olfactory and taste disorders substantially lower in China cohorts compared to abroad COVID-19 cohorts. The prevalence of olfactory and taste disorders in COVID-19 patients was higher in females than in males. In some patients, olfactory and taste disorders precede other symptoms and can be used as a symbol for early screening and warning. The restoration of olfactory and taste function was independent of age; females recover more easily than males; olfactory or taste disorders was not easily recovered for patients with clinically classified as severe; when olfactory or taste disorders itself was serious, it was not easy to recover; olfactory or taste disorders occured early in the disease were more likely to be recovered, otherwise they were hard to be recovered.

Prevalence of Chemosensory Dysfunction in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Reveals Significant Ethnic Differences

“…The mean or median age of subjects in the 104 studies ranged from 26 to 77 years. Studies reported on subjects from multiple countries (n=5), [15][16][17][18][19] from Australia (n=1), 20 Belgium (n=1), 21 Brazil (n=1), 22 Canada (n=2), 23,24 China (n=7), 2,19,[25][26][27][28][29] France (n=12), 19,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] Germany (n=10), 19,[40][41][42][43][44][45][46] Greece (n=1), 49 Iceland (n=1), 50 India (n=2) 51,52 Iran (n=3), [53][54][55] Iraq (n=2), 56,57 Israel (n=4), [58][59][60][61] Italy (n=19),…”

The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Development of Neurodegeneration in Multiple Sclerosis

“…Interestingly, OTDs are more frequent in females than males (52.6% vs. 25%; p = 0.036, respectively) [ 44 ]. Further research revealed olfaction disorder in 12.3% studied COVID-19 patients (8.56% females vs. 3.74% males) [ 45 ]. Females would more likely suffer from olfactory disorders in comparison to males ( p < 0.001).…”

“…Females would more likely suffer from olfactory disorders in comparison to males ( p < 0.001). It was documented that in 30.43% SARS-CoV-2-positive women had complete loss of smell and 50.52% had temperate to severe decrease in smell [ 45 ]. The same study reported that, in 22.46% cases taste disorders (13.37% females vs. 9.1% males) were registered.…”

“…The same relationship was observed in the case of olfactory loss, namely females would more likely to suffer from taste disorders compared with males ( p < 0.001). In 7 cases mild decline, 33 moderate to severe decline and in 2 cases of complete loss of taste were observed [ 45 ]. Mean duration of olfactory disorders was 15.57 days, while taste disorders was 11.09 days [ 45 ].…”

“…In 7 cases mild decline, 33 moderate to severe decline and in 2 cases of complete loss of taste were observed [ 45 ]. Mean duration of olfactory disorders was 15.57 days, while taste disorders was 11.09 days [ 45 ]. This sexual dimorphism can be explained by the fact that the olfactory epithelium is one of the target organs for estrogen.…”