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Delayed recovery from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 related anosmia predicts incomplete olfactory restoration

Part of: JLO Coronavirus Collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 December 2021

I J Fernandez ,
G Molinari ,
G Federici Open the ORCID record for G Federici [Opens in a new window] ,
M Silvestri ,
E De Corso ,
L Presutti ,
M Alicandri-Ciufelli  and
D Lucidi
I J Fernandez
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (AOU) Policlinico and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
G Molinari
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico Sant'Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy Department of Specialist, Diagnostic and Experimental Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum University, Bologna, Italy
G Federici*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (AOU) Policlinico and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
M Silvestri
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (AOU) Policlinico and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
E De Corso
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
L Presutti
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico Sant'Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy Department of Specialist, Diagnostic and Experimental Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum University, Bologna, Italy
M Alicandri-Ciufelli
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (AOU) Policlinico and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
D Lucidi
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (AOU) Policlinico and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Gaia Federici, Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Modena, Via del Pozzo n 71, Modena 41121, Italy E-mail: gaiafederici@hotmail.it
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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to assess the olfactory recovery rates and patterns in a cohort of coronavirus disease 2019 positive patients, and to investigate the clinical predictors of poor long-term olfactory restoration.

Methods

An observational retrospective study was conducted on 146 patients between September 2020 and January 2021 at a tertiary referral hospital. Coronavirus disease 2019 positive patients with olfactory dysfunction were sent a modified version of the COVID-19 Anosmia Reporting Tool for Clinicians via e-mail.

Results

The difference in median recovery time between complete recovery and incomplete or no recovery was statistically significant. On multivariate analysis, the only significant factor associated with incomplete or no recovery was anosmia duration.

Conclusion

After a mean time of 5.6 months from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection, persistent olfactory disorders were self-reported in 36.7 per cent of patients. Complete recovery was more likely to occur within 15 days. Given the high prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019, a large number of patients are expected to suffer from long-term olfactory morbidity.

Keywords

CoronavirusQuality Of LifeOlfactory MucosaTasteSmell

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 3 , March 2022 , pp. 237 - 242
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

Dr G Federici takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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