ENT Symptomology in Active COVID-19 Patients in our Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

The aim of this study is to obtain a clear picture of ENT related symptoms in active COVID-19 patients. This study also intends to determine the association of ENT symptoms with Olfactory and Gustatory dysfunction in these patients. Material and Methods: This is a prospective study on 70 active COVID-19 patients who were admitted in the Tertiary Care Hospital. History of all symptoms including Olfactory and Gustatory function were enquired after obtaining Informed Consent. Results: Throat related symptoms was 77.78%, Nasal symptoms accounted for 63.49% and Ear related symptoms constituted 14.28%. It was seen that Rhinorrhoea and Sneezing was significantly more associated in the presence of Olfactory dysfunction. The most common ENT symptoms were Sore throat (49.21%), Rhinorrhoea (34.92%), Sneezing (33.33%), changes in Smell perception (36.51%), changes in Taste perception (47.62%) and Headache (30.16%). 17.14% of the patients in this study had both Olfactory and Gustatory dysfunction. Ear related symptoms were also observed where 11.11% had Aural fullness, 3.17% with Tinnitus and 6.35% of the patients complained of Hearing loss which was either noticed for the first time or had worsened on contracting the COVID-19 disease. Discussion: Knowledge of ENT symptomatology in COVID 19 patients will aid in early quarantine and hence limitation of viral transmission. The manifestation of Anosmia or Hyposmia, Ageusia and Aural Fullness in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients can also act as an important tool and help in early isolation and quicker initiation of COVID-19 therapy.

Prevalence of Anosmia in 10.157 Pediatric COVID-19 Cases

“… 14 In another study, hearing loss was found in 6.35% of COVID-19 cases. 15 The effect of COVID-19 disease on the auditory system still remains unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful in terms of other sensory deficits in COVID-19 cases.…”

Determination of the Relationship between Globus-Type Complaints and COVID-19 Anxiety in Adult Cases with COVID-19

“…When we reviewed the existing literature, we found that the acute period effects of COVID-19 were commonly emphasized [1,[4][5][6]34]. We found, however, that studies on the post-acute period results are rare.…”

“…Otolaryngological (ENT) symptoms, in addition to the generalized symptoms of COVID-19, have been found to be significantly higher. These symptoms include loss of smell and taste, sore throat, pharyngeal erythema, nasal congestion, post-nasal discharge, dysphagia/odynophagia, and globus [4][5][6]. There is no consensus on the time-oriented grouping of symptoms due to COVID-19 disease.…”

Otovestibular Symptoms of COVID-19 and Its Vaccines/Treatments

“…The literature is accumulating regarding an association between COVID-19 infection and hearing loss. While a few papers failed to find any relationship between COVID-19 and hearing loss [33,34], a growing number of case reports [35][36][37][38][39][40][41] and case series [42][43][44][45][46] have documented clear instances of hearing loss in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The summary article by De Luca et al [47] reviewed numerous case reports and a case series of COVID-19 patients, including both sexes, with a broad range of ages (18-84 years), with unilateral or bilateral typically sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss.…”

“…A smaller but growing literature is also beginning to document an association between COVID-19 and tinnitus [36,37,39,44,45,[48][49][50][51][52][53]. In many cases, the tinnitus accompanies hearing loss [36,37,39].…”