Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction as an Early Identifier of COVID-19 in Adults and Children: An International Multicenter Study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Chenghao Qiu - , Fudan University (Author)
  • Chong Cui - , Fudan University (Author)
  • Charlotte Hautefort - , Université Paris Cité (Author)
  • Antje Haehner - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Jun Zhao - , Fudan University (Author)
  • Qi Yao - , Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Author)
  • Hui Zeng - , The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University (Author)
  • Eric J. Nisenbaum - , University of Miami (Author)
  • Li Liu - , Fudan University (Author)
  • Yu Zhao - , Fudan University (Author)
  • Di Zhang - , The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University (Author)
  • Corinna G. Levine - , University of Miami (Author)
  • Ivette Cejas - , University of Miami (Author)
  • Qi Dai - , Fudan University (Author)
  • Mei Zeng - , Fudan University (Author)
  • Philippe Herman - , Université Paris Cité (Author)
  • Clement Jourdaine - , Université Paris Cité (Author)
  • Katja de With - , Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Julia Draf - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Bing Chen - , Fudan University (Author)
  • Dushyantha T. Jayaweera - , University of Miami (Author)
  • James C. Denneny - , American Academy of Otolaryngology (Author)
  • Roy Casiano - , University of Miami (Author)
  • Hongmeng Yu - , Fudan University (Author)
  • Adrien A. Eshraghi - , University of Miami (Author)
  • Thomas Hummel - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Xuezhong Liu - , University of Miami (Author)
  • Yilai Shu - , Fudan University (Author)
  • Hongzhou Lu - , Fudan University (Author)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of olfactory or gustatory dysfunction in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Study Design: Multicenter case series. Setting: Five tertiary care hospitals (3 in China, 1 in France, 1 in Germany). Subjects and Methods: In total, 394 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–confirmed COVID-19-positive patients were screened, and those with olfactory or gustatory dysfunction were included. Data including demographics, COVID-19 severity, patient outcome, and the incidence and degree of olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction were collected and analyzed. The Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (QOD) and visual analog scale (VAS) were used to quantify olfactory and gustatory dysfunction, respectively. All subjects at 1 hospital (Shanghai) without subjective olfactory complaints underwent objective testing. Results: Of 394 screened subjects, 161 (41%) reported olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction and were included. Incidence of olfactory and/or gustatory disorders in Chinese (n = 239), German (n = 39), and French (n = 116) cohorts was 32%, 69%, and 49%, respectively. The median age of included subjects was 39 years, 92 of 161 (57%) were male, and 10 of 161 (6%) were children. Of included subjects, 10% had only olfactory or gustatory symptoms, and 19% had olfactory and/or gustatory complaints prior to any other COVID-19 symptom. Of subjects with objective olfactory testing, 10 of 90 demonstrated abnormal chemosensory function despite reporting normal subjective olfaction. Forty-three percent (44/102) of subjects with follow-up showed symptomatic improvement in olfaction or gustation. Conclusions: Olfactory and/or gustatory disorders may represent early or isolated symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. They may serve as a useful additional screening criterion, particularly for the identification of patients in the early stages of infection.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)714-721
Number of pages8
JournalOtolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (United States)
Volume163
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2020
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 32539586
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/146645719
ORCID /0000-0001-9473-3018/work/148606202
ORCID /0000-0003-1311-8000/work/158767568

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • anosmia, COVID-19, COVID-19 screening, dysgeusia, gustatory dysfunction, olfactory dysfunction, SARS-CoV-2