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. 2024 Sep;281(9):4827-4834.
doi: 10.1007/s00405-024-08646-5. Epub 2024 Apr 19.

Assessment of olfactory recovery after COVID-19: cross-sectional study

Ehab Abou Zaid  1 , Ahmad Mohamed Eltelety  1 , Khaled Omar Azooz  1 , Gouda Ragab  1 , Ahmed Amin Nassar  2
Affiliations

Assessment of olfactory recovery after COVID-19: cross-sectional study

Ehab Abou Zaid et al. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2024 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate recovery patterns of olfactory dysfunction among recovered COVID-19 patients, both subjective and objective, and correlate this recovery to the severity of the disease.

Methods: The study recruited 200 patients and assigned them to two equal groups, one of them was a control group. The olfactory function of the study group was assessed via subjective and objective methods at baseline and then monthly for three months, with changes in smell function reported at each visit. These patients underwent chemosensory testing using the Sniffin' Sticks test and completed the validated Arabic version of the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders-Negative Statements (QOD-NS).

Results: Olfactory dysfunction occurred on the first day of COVID-19 symptoms in 37% of participants. Subjective reports suggested smell recovery in 55% after 3 months, but Sniffin' Sticks showed only 1% with normal function, indicating persistent deficits in others. This study revealed smell recovery for 93% of participants (median 14 days), with most (58%) recovering within 2 weeks. No significant links were found between demographics, COVID-smell loss timing, and recovery speed.

Conclusion: Three months after COVID-19, many patients perceive smell recovery, but objective tests reveal shockingly high rates of persistent dysfunction. Further follow-up with objective tests is vital to assess the true burden and potential long-term effects of smell loss.

Keywords: COVID-19; Olfactory disorders; QOD-NS; Recovery; Sniffin’ Sticks test.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Arabic version of OOD-NS
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Bar chart for duration between covid 19 onset and onset of olfactory dysfunction
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Duration till recovery of smell among study group (subjective assessment)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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