Evaluation of smell and taste dysfunctions concurrent otolaryngological symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients

Olfactory dysfunction can develop at any time interval of the disease, however mostly emerged earlier phases of the COVID-19. In this present study our aim was to evaluate the smell and taste dysfunctions concurrent otolaryngological symptoms in COVID-19 positive patients. We conducted this prospective study at xxxx Training and Research Hospital between December 2020 and January 2021. 197 patients were participated to the study. Patients who had been confirmed as COVID-19 positive by real- time polymerase chain reaction and with taste and /or smell dysfunction symptoms were included. We divided participants into four groups according to their ages. Ages between 18-30 was determined as Group1, 31-40 as Group 2, 41-50 as Group 3, ages 51 and more than as Group 4. A questionnaire was prepared including questions about age, gender, otorhinolaryngological symptoms, chronic illness, previous head injury, smoking, the olfactory and taste dysfunctions during COVID-19. A statistically significant difference was found between smell dysfunction scores and gender (z= 2.100; p = 0.036). The severity of smell dysfunction was higher in females. Hospitalized patients had higher smell dysfunction onset day than those who were not hospitalized. Both smell and taste dysfunctions were more often and the average duration of both disturbances were high in Group 2. The severity of the smell dysfunction was higher in females and appeared as a later symptom in hospitalized patients and continued longer in patients with nasal obstruction. Taste dysfunction continued longer in patients with nasal obstruction, nasal congestion, and sore throat.

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