Post-discharge persistent headache and smell or taste dysfunction after hospitalisation for COVID-19: a single-centre study

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequency, characteristics, and persistence of headache in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients who are hospitalised and to determine if there is a link between headache and smell and/or taste dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In April and May 2020, patients who were hospitalised due to COVID-19 and had headache complaints were evaluated by a neurologist. In addition to clinical COVID-19 features, the characteristics and course of the patients’ headaches were evaluated. The patients were contacted by phone 3 months after they were discharged from the hospital to determine the persistence of their symptoms. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were included in the study, 54.1% were female; the mean age was 47.5 ± 13.9 years (between the ages of 21 and 84). Fifty-four patients (65.3%) presented with smell and/or taste dysfunction, and 14 patients (n = 14, 25.9%) still reported that dysfunction 3 months later. Moreover, 17 (20%) still had headaches 3 months after being discharged from the hospital. Persistent smell/taste disorders were significantly (p < 0.001) more frequent in patients with persistent headaches (59%) compared to those without (6%) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this prospective study in COVID-19 patients presenting with headache upon admission, a correlation between persistent headache 3 months after discharge and persistent smell/taste dysfunction was found that could point to common underlying pathophysiology.