The incidence and impact of anosmia on daily life after COVID-19 infection

• Published in: Saudi medical journal Vol. 43; no. 12; pp. 1354 - 1362
• Main Authors: Bukhari, Afnan F, Malas Moayyad, Hanbazazah Kamal, Zawawi Faisal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Riyadh Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) 01.12.2022
• Subjects: Chemosensory perception; COVID-19; Epidemiology; Olfaction disorders; Pathophysiology; Quality of life; Recovery (Medical); Smell; Saudi Arabia
• ISSN: 0379-5284; 1658-3175
• DOI: 10.15537/smj.2022.43.12.20220559

Objectives:To investigate the impact of olfactory dysfunction’s (OD) on patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and evaluate the risk factors associated with it.Methods:This cross-sectional study analyzed patients who tested positive for COVID-19 over a period of 4 months (May–July 2020) and experienced OD and mild illness. Selected patients were given 2 scales Olfactory Disorders Negative Statement (QOD-NS) and Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22).Results:A total of 256 patients were enrolled, out of which 196 had anosmia after COVID-19 infection. More than 75% of the participants were aged between 20-40 years and 64.3% were women. The mean score of the patients was 25.13 (SD 19.6) on the SNOT-22, while it was 4.9 (SD 4.85) on the QOD-NS. There was no association between anosmia and other comorbidities and factors (age, smoking history, allergic rhinitis history, asthma, and so on). Only 39% of patients who had anosmia after COVID-19 recovered in less than 4 months.Conclusion:Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of COVID-19 infection and it can take more than 4 months to recover. Nevertheless, this cohort reports a moderate impact on their quality of life due to anosmia.