Retronasal olfactory testing in early diagnosed and suspected COVID-19 patients: a 7-week follow-up study
Prem B, Liu DT, Besser G, Renner B, Mueller CA (2021)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2021
Journal
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-021-06826-1
Abstract
Objectives: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) constitutes a major symptom in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Yet, most data on smell loss rely on the evaluation of orthonasal olfactory performance. Therefore, we aimed to assess retronasal olfactory function (ROF) over a period of several weeks in proven and suspected COVID-19 patients. Methods: One hundred and one subjects with suspected or laboratory-proven COVID-19 participated in this study. In patients with OD no longer than 4 weeks after initial symptom onset, ROF was measured with the 7-item Candy Smell Test ten times over 7 weeks. Results: Olfactory function was decreased in the investigated patients and remained decreased over the course of 7 weeks. One-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed no significant difference of ROF between different measurement time points. However, self-assessment of smell and flavour improved significantly (p = 0.013 and p = 0.043), but did not show complete recovery. Conclusion: The current investigation revealed significant improvements in subjective smell and flavour perception over the course of 7 weeks in proven and suspected COVID-19 patients suffering from acute OD. However, objectively measured ROF based on a screening test revealed no improvements within the same time period.
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Austria (AT)How to cite
APA:
Prem, B., Liu, D.T., Besser, G., Renner, B., & Mueller, C.A. (2021). Retronasal olfactory testing in early diagnosed and suspected COVID-19 patients: a 7-week follow-up study. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-06826-1
MLA:
Prem, Bernhard, et al. "Retronasal olfactory testing in early diagnosed and suspected COVID-19 patients: a 7-week follow-up study." European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (2021).
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