Association of Anosmia and Positive SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR Test Results Among Patients in the Quezon City General Hospital

Abstract

ABSTRACT
 Objective: To determine the association of anosmia and positive SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR test results among patients in a tertiary government hospital in Metro Manila.
 
 Methods: 
 Design: Cross-Sectional Study
 Setting: Tertiary Government Hospital
 Participants: Patients aged 18 years old and above who consulted or were admitted with COVID-19 symptoms at the Quezon City General Hospital in the Philippines from July to September 2020 answered an offline version of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery AAO-HNS COVID-19 Anosmia Reporting Tool prior to undergoing (COVID-19) RT-PCR testing.
 
 Results: Out of 172 participants, 63 (36.6%) presented with anosmia. Sixty (95.2%) out of 63 of those with anosmia had a positive COVID-19 RT-PCR test result. Forty-one (65%) participants reported anosmia as the first symptom while the most common associated symptoms were fever (59%), cough (50%), and rhinorrhea (31%). There was a significant association between anosmia and positive SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR tests (X2 =33.85, df=1, p<.0001).
 
 Conclusion: Anosmia was associated with a positive SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR test in more than 95% of those who reported the symptom. Anosmia should be considered as a red flag sign which should be included in the screening of persons suspected of being infected with COVID-19 to help mitigate further spread of the virus.

Quality of Life Among SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Positive Patients with Anosmia Using the Short Version Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders - Negative Statements Translated in Filipino (sQOD-NS Ph)

“…In summary, our study revealed a high prevalence of anosmia in confirmed COVID-19 patients in consonance with other reports [6][7][8][17][18] with a good percentage of patients recovering from anosmia spontaneously. The majority of COVID-19 patients with anosmia had minimal or negligible impairment, while a small percentage had impaired quality of life.…”

“…13 The prevalence of anosmia in patients with COVID-19 infection ranges from 5 to 26, 32, 35, 48, and 79 percent. [7][8][14][15][16] Alega and Cruz reported that 51% (60/117) of COVID-19 positive individuals reported loss of smell 8 while Regalado et al reported an overall prevalence of 71% in a systematic review. 18 The prevalence rate of 66% in our present study is consonant with other reports that anosmia is associated with COVID-19 infection.…”

“…[5][6][7] Our previous study showed 95% of patients with anosmia had a positive SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR test. 8 Another study found that out of 394 COVID-19 patients, 161 (41%) exhibited sudden olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction, 66.2% suffered from anosmia and 88.8% reported gustatory disorders. 5 This olfactory dysfunction is believed to ensue from damages inflicted on the olfactory epithelium which prevent odors from binding to olfactory receptors.…”