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. 2020 Sep;27(9):1738-1741.
doi: 10.1111/ene.14273. Epub 2020 May 16.

Acute-onset smell and taste disorders in the context of COVID-19: a pilot multicentre polymerase chain reaction based case-control study

Á Beltrán-Corbellini  1 , J L Chico-García  1 , J Martínez-Poles  2   3 , F Rodríguez-Jorge  1 , E Natera-Villalba  1 , J Gómez-Corral  1 , A Gómez-López  1 , E Monreal  1 , P Parra-Díaz  1 , J L Cortés-Cuevas  4 , J C Galán  4 , C Fragola-Arnau  5 , J Porta-Etessam  3   6 , J Masjuan  1 , A Alonso-Cánovas  1
Affiliations

Acute-onset smell and taste disorders in the context of COVID-19: a pilot multicentre polymerase chain reaction based case-control study

Á Beltrán-Corbellini et al. Eur J Neurol. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Specific respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19, may cause smell and/or taste disorders (STDs) with increased frequency. The aim was to determine whether new-onset STDs are more frequent amongst COVID-19 patients than influenza patients.

Method: This was a case-control study including hospitalized patients of two tertiary care centres. Consecutive patients positive for COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (cases) and patients positive for influenza polymerase chain reaction (historical control sample) were assessed during specific periods, employing a self-reported STD questionnaire.

Results: Seventy-nine cases and 40 controls were included. No significant differences were found in basal features between the two groups. New-onset STDs were significantly more frequent amongst cases (31, 39.2%) than in the control group (5, 12.5 %) [adjusted odds ratio 21.4 (2.77-165.4, P = 0.003)]. COVID-19 patients with new-onset STDs were significantly younger than COVID-19 patients without STDs (52.6 ± 17.2 vs. 67.4 ± 15.1, P < 0.001). Amongst COVID-19 patients who presented STDs, 22 (70.9%) recalled an acute onset and it was an initial manifestation in 11 (35.5%). Twenty-five (80.6%) presented smell disorders (mostly anosmia, 14, 45.2%) and 28 (90.3%) taste disorders (mostly ageusia, 14, 45.2%). Only four (12.9 %) reported concomitant nasal obstruction. The mean duration of STD was 7.5 ± 3.2 days and 12 patients (40%) manifested complete recovery after 7.4 ± 2.3 days of onset.

Conclusion: New-onset STDs were significantly more frequent amongst COVID-19 patients than influenza patients; they usually had an acute onset and were commonly an initial manifestation. The use of STD assessment in anamnesis as a hint for COVID-19 and to support individuals' self-isolation in the current epidemic context is suggested.

Keywords: PCR; case-control study; coronavirus infection; smell disorders; taste disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no financial or other conflicts of interest.

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