Self-reported and clinically identified loss of smell and taste among persons tested for COVID-19 in Chennai, southern India, July-August 2020: A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND: Early detection of symptoms of loss of smell and taste lately added for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has the potential for improving pandemic response. In the Indian context, we compared proportion experiencing new loss of smell or taste among COVID-19 positive and negative individuals in Chennai city, Southern India. METHODS: We did an analytical cross-sectional study among individuals aged 18–80 years undergoing testing at COVID-19 sample collection centres. We ascertained loss of smell and taste using standardised self-reporting and clinical examination procedures. We administered Sino Nasal Outcome (SNOT 22) questionnaire for comprehensive understanding of these symptoms. We compared proportion having symptoms between COVID-19 positive and negative persons. We compared the two assessment methods to compute diagnostic validity indicators. RESULTS: Of the 277 participants, 169 (61%) were men and mean age of 40.7 years [SD = 13.3]. Fifty eight (21%) had COVID-19 and 12 (36%) of them were asymptomatic. Predominantly reported symptoms were fever (30%), headache (18%) and cough (18%). Self-reported or clinically identified new loss of smell or taste was higher among COVID-19 positive (n = 13; 22%) than negative persons (n = 23; 11%) [p = 0.02]. Sensitivity was higher for self-reported or clinically identified loss of smell (17.2%) than that of loss of taste (6.9%). Negative predictive value for loss of smell or taste, self-reported or clinically identified was 81%. Likelihood ratio of positive test was 2.13. CONCLUSION: Loss of smell or taste are predominantly reported by COVID-19 confirmed individuals. Objective and subjective assessments of smell and taste may be required to identify those requiring COVID-19 testing.