EVOLUTION OF ALTERED SENSE OF SMELL AND/OR TASTE IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19 AT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER OF HO CHI MINH CITY

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the altered sense of smell and/or taste in case series of mildly symptomatic patients with COVID-19.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey-based study included 132 mildly symptomatic adults ( 18 years) who tested positive for SARS-CoV 2 RNA by polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal swabs at the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh city between 01/10/2021 and 07/10/2021.

Result: A total of 132 patients completed the survey (81 [61.36%] women; median age, 40 years). 94 patients reported an altered sense of smell and/or taste (71%). Other common symptoms were blocked nose (59.8%) and dry cough or coughing up mucus (59.1%). The presence of altered sense of smell and/or taste was statistically associated with sex (p <0.05).

Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of altered sense of smell and/or taste among patients infected with COVID-19. Routine screening for these conditions could contribute to improved case detection in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: altered sense of smell and/or taste, SARS-CoV 2, COVID-19