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Factors associated with anosmia recovery rate in COVID-19 patients.

Authors :: Babaei A
Iravani K
Malekpour B
Golkhar B
Soltaniesmaeili A
Hosseinialhashemi M
Source :: Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology [Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol] 2021 Nov 02; Vol. 6 (6), pp. 1248-1255. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Nov 02 (Print Publication: 2021).
Publication Year :: 2021
Abstract: Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the 4- and 8-week recovery rate of anosmia and determine the factors associated with recovery in COVID-19 patients. Method: This retrospective study was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021. RT-PCR-proven COVID-19 adult patients (over 18 years of age) with a positive history of anosmia were included in this study. Anosmia was assessed based on the COVID-19 Anosmia Reporting Tool. The recovery rate of anosmia after 4 and 8 weeks were evaluated, and the relationship between the patients' recovery and their clinical and demographic data was assessed. Results: A total of 235 patients were included. Their mean age (±SD) was 43.95 ± 15.27 years. Anosmia recovery was reported in 207(88.51%) and 219 (93.19%) participants till 4 and 8 weeks. The mean recovery time was 19.42 ± 8.81 days. The result of logistic regression showed that smoking ( P  = .031; OR = 10.813), ageusia ( P  = .002; OR = 5.340), headache ( P  = .006; OR = 0.243), and nasal discharge ( P < .001; OR = 0.080) were significantly associated with 4 weeks anosmia recovery. The only risk factor which was associated with a lower rate of 8 weeks anosmia recovery was presence of nasal discharge (OR = 0.106, P  = .002). Conclusion: The only risk factor which was associated with a lower rate of 8 weeks anosmia recovery was presence of nasal discharge. Our result demonstrated that although smoking was associated with higher recovery rate till 4 weeks, it could not be considered as a protective factor after 8 weeks. More studies are recommended to investigate the relationship between anosmia and the associated factors by consideration of both short- and long-term recovery rates and assess the possible mechanisms that could justify this association. Levels of Evidence: 3b. Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. (© 2021 The Authors. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Triological Society.)