The incidence and impact of anosmia on daily life after COVID-19 infection A cross-sectional study in a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the impact of olfactory dysfunction's)OD(on patients with coronavirus disease-19)COVID-19(and evaluate the risk factors associated with it. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed patients who tested positive for COVID-19 over a period of 4 months)May-July 2020(and experienced OD and mild illness. Selected patients were given 2 scales Olfactory Disorders Negative Statement)QOD-NS(and Sinonasal Outcome Test)SNOT-22(. Results: A total of 256 patients were enrolled, out of which 196 had anosmia after COVID-19 infection. More than 75% of the participants were aged between 20-40 years and 64.3% were women. The mean score of the patients was 25.13)SD 19.6(on the SNOT-22, while it was 4.9)SD 4.85(on the QOD-NS. There was no association between anosmia and other comorbidities and factors)age, smoking history, allergic rhinitis history, asthma, and so on(. Only 39% of patients who had anosmia after COVID-19 recovered in less than 4 months. Conclusion: Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of COVID-19 infection and it can take more than 4 months to recover. Nevertheless, this cohort reports a moderate impact on their quality of life due to anosmia.