ENT Manifestations of COVID – 19: A Retrospective study

Abstract

The novel COVID-19 infection was the cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. From an otorhinolaryngologist perspective, high index of suspicion for coronavirus infection is needed while encountering certain clinical presentations in OPD settings. This enables early detection and prompt treatment of affected individuals. To detect, analyse and discuss the different ear, nose, throat and laryngeal (ENT manifestations) reported in RT-PCR COVID-19 Positive patients at Basaveshvara Medical College and Hospital, Chitradurga. A retrospective observational cohort study carried out at Basaveshvara Medical College and Hospital, Chitradurga Karnataka from September 16, 2020 to October 31, 2020. Using a standard, predesigned questionnaire, clinical data was collected from these patients by telephone-based interview. Out of 420 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 infection, 55.9% presented with some ENT manifestation. Majority were male(n=165) and female were less common(n=70). The most common symptom was cough (50.21%), followed by sore throat (38.29%), odynophagia (34.04%), smell disorders (26.38%), taste disorders (20.85%), headache (8.93%), nasal obstruction (6.80%), rhinorrhoea (6.38%). Out of 235 patients with ENT symptoms, 111 patients had smell and/or taste disturbances. During pandemic, clinical diagnosis is an important tool for early diagnosis of asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic suspected Covid-19 patients when diagnostic tests are not available and/or unpredictable. There is scope for further research in development of rapid screening tools for detecting coronavirus infection based on highly suspicious ENT symptoms.