Evolution of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions in COVID-19 patients in India

Abstract

Purpose The ongoing coronavirus disease 19 pandemic is spreading at an alarming rate across the globe. Sudden onset loss of smell and/or taste has been increasingly reported as a symptom of COVID-19. However, prevalence of these symptoms, and its severity varies widely between studies, with little data on its duration and recovery rate. Since this significantly impacts the quality of life of patients, there is a need for a study to provide insight into the loss of smell or taste in terms of its correlation with other upper respiratory tract symptoms, natural history and resolution rates. Methods This cross-sectional study included 718 mild to moderately symptomatic adult patients (≥ 18 years), admitted consecutively to Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Odisha, India between June 25 and July 24, 2020, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal and throat swabs. Prevalence, severity, duration and factors associated with altered smell or taste sensation, and their follow-up were recorded. Results Of the 718 patients included in the study at baseline [563 (78%) men; median age 34 years], 101 (14%) patients experienced either altered smell or taste, with 52 (7%) experiencing both altered smell and taste. Seventy-seven (10.7%) patients had altered smell and 76 patients had altered taste (10.5%). Of these, 71 (92%) and 73 (96%) regained their sense of smell and taste, respectively, by 14 days after their swab tested positive. Presence of fever (OR = 5.4, 95% CI = 2.7-10.6, p < 0.001), cough (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.2-4.2, p = 0.009) and nasal obstruction (OR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.4-6.7, p = 0.006) were independently associated with increased likelihood of experiencing both altered taste and smell in multivariable models. ConclusionThe prevalence of altered smell and taste in Indians was much lower compared to Europeans and similar to East Asians. Majority regained these senses by 2 weeks. Identification of these symptoms can help in early detection of the disease in suspected individuals.

Alteration of Smell and Taste Sensations in Covid-19 Positive Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study in Western India

“…Another study done on 718 patients reported that 101 (14%) patients experienced either altered smell or taste, with 52 (7%) experiencing both altered smell and taste. Seventy-seven (10.7%) patients had altered smell and 76 patients had altered taste sensation (10.5%) [ 24 ].…”

“…A study done by Jerome R. Lechien et al showed 79.5% of patients recovered normal smell sense within 2 months following the onset of loss of smell [ 31 ]. Pradipt ranjan sahoo et al reported that 92% patients regained olfaction and 96% regained taste sensation, on follow-up at the 2 weeks of the PCR positivity [ 24 ]. The varied time taken for the recovery in different patients may be due to the various pathophysiological mechanisms causing damage to neuronal tract.…”

“…Another study done on 718 patients reported that 101 (14%) patients experienced either altered smell or taste, with 52 (7%) experiencing both altered smell and taste. Seventy-seven (10.7%) patients had altered smell and 76 patients had altered taste sensation (10.5%) [24]. We observed a clear male predominance in our study as 62% (124/200) male and 38% (76/200) female patients reported altered smell sensation while 63.1% (170/269) male and 36.8% (99/269) female patients reported alteration in taste sensation which is in contrast with other studies presenting female predominance [25].…”

Incidence of Anosmia among Covid 19 patients in India

“…Bilinska et al, concluded that Caucasians might have excessive ACE2 variants expressed on the sustentacular cells of their olfactory cleft, hence resulting in the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with higher affinity, resulting in higher frequency olfactory symptoms as compared to the East Asians, who have lesser ACE2 variants [45]. Also, a metanalysis done by Bartheld et al signifies that ethnicity is a pivotal factor in contributing to the difference observed in incidence of chemosensory dysfunction amongst East Asian and Caucasian population as quoted by the study done by Pradip Ranjan [46].…”

Post-COVID syndrome: A reflection and opinion paper

“…La pérdida de olfato es la alteración más frecuente, con una prevalencia del 77% cuando se evalúa mediante mediciones objetivas[57]. Estas disfunciones afectan principalmente a pacientes jóvenes, tienen un predominio femenino y son más prevalentes en casos leves a moderados[56,58].En la mayoría de los casos la recuperación de ambas disfunciones se produce durante el primer o segundo mes, generalmente de forma completa[59][60][61][62]. No obstante, los datos de diferentes estudios publicados muestran un tiempo de persistencia bastante variable: 17-56% a las 4 semanas, 10-23% a las 8 semanas, y 4-46% a las 12 semanas[63] y por tanto podrían considerarse parte del síndrome post-COVID.…”