Otolaryngological manifestations of hospitalised patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection

PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of otolaryngology symptoms in COVID 19 patients. METHODS: 116 patients with positive PCR test results for COVID-19 and followed up by otolaryngologists at a tertiary referral center/COVID-19 pandemic hospital were questioned in terms of otolaryngology symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection. Data including demographics, disease severity, concomitant diseases, previous otolaryngologic diseases,incidence and duration of new onset symptoms were collected and categorically analyzed. In addition, the severity of loss of smell and taste was evaluated by visual analogue score (VAS). RESULTS: A total of 58 men and 58 women participated. The mean age of the patients was 57.24 ± 14.32 (19–83). The most common otolaryngological findings were hyposmia/anosmia (37.9%) and hypogeusia/ageusia (41.37%), respectively. These complaints were followed by headache (37.1%), and nausea/vomiting (31%). The most common oropharyngeal symptoms were sore throat (32.7%) and dysphagia (20.6%). The rate of otological/vestibular symptoms was dizziness (31.8%), tinnitus (11%), true vertigo (6%), and hearing impairment (5.1%), respectively. The most of symptoms were more frequent in > 60 years and women. There was a significant correlation between nasal itching and smell disturbance in patients with allergic rhinitis. Considering the duration of symptoms, the longest were hyposmia/anosmia and hypogeusia/ageusia. The mean VAS’s in patients with hyposmia/anosmia and hypogeusia/ageusia were 5.52 ± 2.08 and 5.79 ± 2.21, respectively. CONCLUSION: The most common otolaryngologic symptoms of COVID-19 infection are known as sore throat, smell and/or taste disturbances. However, our study showed that these patients can be seen with different symptoms in otological or laryngeal areas. Therefore, a more careful evaluation should be made in terms of otolaryngologic symptoms when COVID 19 infection is suspected.