Clinical, Prognostic, and Predictive Value of Olfactory Dysfunction for COVID-19: A Prospective Controlled Study

• Published in: Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery 2022-07, Vol.167 (1), p.187-196
• Main Authors: Kavaz, Esra, Tahir, Emel, Kurnaz, Senem Çengel, Deveci, Aydın, Tanyel, Esra Aksakal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anosmia; COVID‐19; smell loss; Sniffin’ Sticks test
• ISSN: 0194-5998; 1097-6817
• DOI: 10.1177/01945998211057024

Objective To evaluate the effect of olfactory dysfunction on the course and severity of COVID-19 and its prognostic and predictive significance for COVID-19. Study Design Prospective case-control study. Setting Ondokuz Mayıs University School of Medicine. Methods Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–positive patients, patients with COVID-19–related symptoms who had a negative PCR result, and healthy controls were included in the study. Clinicodemographic characteristics, inflammatory markers, and computed tomography stages were recorded. Disease progression and intensive care unit admission were registered. The visual analog scale (0, worst; 10, best) was used to evaluate subjective olfactory, taste, and nasal breathing ability, and the Sniffin’ Sticks identification (SS-ID) test was used for psychophysical olfactory assessment. Results Mean SS-ID scores were significantly lower in the positive group (8.77) than in the negative (10.43) and healthy control (12.17) groups. VAS-smell scores were significantly lower and anosmia was more prevalent in PCR-positive patients (P < .01). SS-ID and VAS-smell scores were significantly correlated (r = 0.681, P < .001). The inflammatory parameters, pulmonary infiltration stage, disease progression, and ICU admission were not associated with SS-ID scores. A cutoff SS-ID score