Importance and correlation of sudden onset, presence and recovery of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions in COVID-19 patients: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), may be associated with acute onset of smell and taste dysfunction along with other common presenting symptoms such as cough, fever and myalgia. Our study aims to analyze the presence of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions (OGDs) in patients with COVID-19 and to assess their onset and recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2021 retrospectively at Care Multispecialty Hospital, Vadodara. A total 301 patients were admitted, among those 280 qualify according to inclusion criteria and 3 patients denied to participate in the study. All patients presenting with laboratory-confirmed real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2 were included in the study. All 277 patients were undergone a diagnostic questionnaire through telephonic conversation which include patient main symptoms and self-assessment of loss of smell and taste and their onset and recovery. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-seven patients were included in this study. One hundred and fifty-three patients (55%) reported olfactory and gustatory disorders. Loss of taste and smell were more frequently reported in female patients (72.8%) than male patients (48%). Onset of these symptoms concomitant with other typical symptoms of COVID-19 is in 58.2% of cases. Recovery of symptoms in most patients was in 5–10 days and faster in younger patients. CONCLUSION: Olfactory and gustatory disorders (OGDs) related to COVID-19 are frequently reported and more common in female patients. Rapid recovery was observed in most cases. Altogether OGDs can possibly act pivot screening or diagnostic tool for COVID-19 pandemic.