Six month follow-up of self-reported loss of smell during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Loss of smell and taste is now recognised as amongst the most common symptoms of COVID-19 and the best predictor of COVID-19 positivity. Long term outcomes are unknown. This study aims to investigate recovery of loss of smell and the prevalence of parosmia. METHODOLOGY: 6-month follow-up of respondents to an online surgery who self-reported loss of smell at the onset of the CO- VID-19 pandemic in the UK. Information of additional symptoms, recovery of loss of smell and the development of parosmia was collected. RESULTS: 44% of respondents reported at least one other ongoing symptom at 6 months, of which fatigue (n=106) was the most prevalent. There was a significant improvement in self-rating of severity of olfactory loss where 177 patients stated they had a normal smell of smell while 12 patients reported complete loss of smell. The prevalence of parosmia is 43.1% with median interval of 2.5 months (range 0-6) from the onset of loss of smell. CONCLUSIONS: While many patients recover quickly, some experience long-term deficits with no self-reported improvement at 6 months. Furthermore, there is a high prevalence of parosmia even in those who report at least some recovery of olfactory func- tion. Longer term evaluation of recovery is required.

Neurological Manifestations as the Predictors of Severity and Mortality in Hospitalized Individuals with COVID-19: A Multicenter Prospective Clinical Study

“…The recovery in all cases was reported in another study in 28 days (43). A 6-month follow-up study on 434 individuals showed that over 70% had full or almost full recovery of loss of smell and about 2% of cases reported no improvements (44). It was also reported that over 40% of participants developed parosmia with the median interval of 2.5 months after the onset of smell dysfunction (44).…”

“…A 6-month follow-up study on 434 individuals showed that over 70% had full or almost full recovery of loss of smell and about 2% of cases reported no improvements (44). It was also reported that over 40% of participants developed parosmia with the median interval of 2.5 months after the onset of smell dysfunction (44). Our study also showed that about 10% of cases with hyposmia/anosmia developed parosmia after 4 weeks of discharge that increased to over 30% after 8 weeks.…”

Acute and persistent symptoms in non-hospitalized PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients

“…In the wake of the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, several observational studies, patient groups and case series have reported persistent symptoms including reduced respiratory capacity [8], fatigue and hyposmia [9,10,11]. In a follow-up study of 143 Italians discharged after hospitalization due to COVID-19, 87.4% still experienced COVID-19-related symptoms at two months after symptom start, and more than half of the patients reported persistent fatigue [12].…”

Dietary Approach for Post-COVID Treatment of Olfactory Loss

“…The loss and dysfunction of olfaction due to SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to recover within weeks [5]. However, many studies have identified long-term complications of olfaction [4,6].…”

“…Agyeman et al [4] further reported 41% of 8438 COVID- 19 positive individuals experienced olfactory dysfunction. For the majority of individuals who experience distortions in olfaction, they tend to recover this sense within a month [5]. However, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the sense of smell can be impaired for longer periods of time after infection.…”