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Olfactory dysfunction at six months after coronavirus disease 2019 infection

Part of: JLO Coronavirus Collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2021

S R Leedman ,
M Sheeraz ,
P G Sanfilippo ,
D W Edgar ,
G V D'Aulerio ,
D M Robb ,
T Richards ,
C C Blyth  and
D A Mackey
S R Leedman*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Australia
M Sheeraz
Affiliation:
COVID-19 Research Response, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Australia
P G Sanfilippo
Affiliation:
Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia
D W Edgar
Affiliation:
Institute of Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Australia Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia Physiotherapy Department, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Australia
G V D'Aulerio
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
D M Robb
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
T Richards
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
C C Blyth
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
D A Mackey
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Samuel Leedman, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia E-mail: samleedman@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to assess olfactory dysfunction in patients at six months after confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 infection.

Methods

Coronavirus disease 2019 positive patients were assessed six months following diagnosis. Patient data were recoded as part of the adapted International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium Protocol. Olfactory dysfunction was assessed using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test.

Results

Fifty-six patients were included. At six months after coronavirus disease 2019 diagnosis, 64.3 per cent of patients (n = 36) were normosmic, 28.6 per cent (n = 16) had mild to moderate microsmia and 7 per cent (n = 4) had severe microsmia or anosmia. There was a statistically significant association between older age and olfactory dysfunction. Hospital or intensive care unit admission did not lead to worse olfactory outcomes compared to those managed in the out-patient setting.

Conclusion

At six months after coronavirus disease 2019 diagnosis, approximately two-thirds of patients will be normosmic. This study is the first to describe six-month outcomes for post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients in terms of olfactory dysfunction.

Keywords

CoronavirusCOVID-19AnosmiaHyposmiaOlfactory Impairment
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 135 , Issue 9 , September 2021 , pp. 839 - 843
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Dr S Leedman takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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