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. 2024 Sep 23;9(5):e70014.
doi: 10.1002/lio2.70014. eCollection 2024 Oct.

Factors associated with loss and recovery of smell and taste after COVID-19 infection

Diego E Razura  1   2 , Ido Badash  2 , Bozena Wrobel  2 , Kevin Hur  2
Affiliations

Factors associated with loss and recovery of smell and taste after COVID-19 infection

Diego E Razura et al. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. .

Abstract

Objective: To identify predictors associated with loss and recovery of smell and taste after COVID-19 infection.

Methods: The Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) 2021 National Health Interview Series (NHIS) database was used to analyze factors associated with loss and recovery of smell and taste in respondents who had a previous COVID-19 infection. Significant variables from univariate analysis were included in a stepwise backward regression model to identify independent predictors.

Results: Of the 3844 individuals who answered yes to having contracted COVID-19, 51.1% and 48.9% reported losing smell and taste, respectively. 95.7% recovered smell and 97% recovered taste. Predictors associated with higher odds of reporting a loss of smell included younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98-0.99), female sex (OR 1.38; CI 1.17-1.63), use of e-cigarettes (OR 1.59; CI 1.25-2.02), and Mexican ethnicity (OR 1.61; CI 1.22-2.11). Predictors of taste loss were younger age (OR 0.98; CI 0.98-0.99), female sex (OR 1.31; CI 1.08-1.58), and higher BMI (OR 1.02; CI 1.00-1.04). Female sex was associated with decreased odds of reporting a recovery of smell (OR 0.74; CI 0.59-0.92) and taste (OR 0.54; CI 0.42-0.69). Black/African American race (OR 1.44; CI 1.03-2.03) and non-Mexican Hispanic ethnicities (OR 1.55; CI 1.02-2.34) were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting the recovery of smell.

Conclusion: Various factors may be associated with the loss and recovery of smell and taste after COVID-19 infections. Clinicians may use this information to better counsel patients with these symptoms.

Level of evidence: 4.

Keywords: COVID‐19; anosmia; dysgeusia; smell loss; taste loss.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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