Olfactory Dysfunction in COVID-19 Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital; A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 Department of ENT, JJM Medical College, Davanagere, Karnataka, India.

2 Department of General Medicine, SS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davanagere, Karnataka, India.

10.22038/ijorl.2024.76275.3557

Abstract

Introduction:
Sudden onset of olfactory dysfunction (OD) manifesting as hyposmia and/or anosmia occurred in many COVID-19 patients, with a frequency as high as 85.6%. Given the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19, it is important to recognize the symptoms early so that the infected person can be diagnosed, isolated and treated early. Hence, this study was undertaken to know the prevalence of Sino-nasal symptoms with special reference to olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients.
Materials and Methods:
It is a cross sectional observational study involving 160 COVID-19 patients aged 18 to 100 years selected by universal sampling. OD was analyzed and compared with various inflammatory markers and Sino-nasal symptoms. Patients were followed up until their discharge from the hospital or until death due to COVID-19 related health issues.
Results:
Out of 160 subjects included in the study, 61.88 % of the study participants were males and 38.13% were females. The mean age was 44.50 ± 16.43 years. A total of 51 patients (31.87%) developed OD. Fifty one (31.87%) patients developed OD (anosmia/hyposmia). Among the individuals with anosmia/hyposmia, majority of patients (n=26) (50.98%) complained of more than 75% loss of smell sensation.  Mean duration of anosmia/hyposmia was 9.92 ± 3.71 days. OD correlated with serum ferritin levels (p=0.0453).
Conclusion:
Anosmia/hyposmia was found in significant proportion of patients with covid-19 which correlated with the disease severity and serum ferritin levels and hence can serve as surrogate marker of disease severity.

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Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Volume 36, Issue 3
May and June 2024
Pages 459-466

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