Loss of smell is perhaps the best predictor of COVID-19 among patients with symptoms of respiratory diseases, according to a new study.
The findings of two new international studies, published in the journal Chemical Senses, show that odor loss is common in COVID-19 patients that often last for a long time.
More than 4,500 COVID-19 patients from 23 nationalities responded to the researchers ’questionnaire.
The studies found that the average loss of sense sensitivity was 79.7 on a scale of 0-100, indicating a significant loss of sensitivity to completion.
“This reinforces the importance of being aware of this symptom, as it may be the only symptom of the disease,” said Alexander Wieck Fjaeldstad of Aarhus University in Denmark. The study found that only about half of the patients with odor loss regained their scent after forty days.
“This is different from the picture we see with other viral diseases and causes long-term discomfort for patients, both in terms of food and social interaction, while at the same time causing them anxiety,” Fjaeldstad said.
The researchers also found that the taste buds were also significantly reduced, to 69.0 on the 0-100 scale, adding to the feeling left in the mouth also reduced to 37.3 on the 0-100 scale.
“While loss of smell in itself removes the ability to sense food, the loss of other senses at the same time makes it difficult to record what you eat. So putting food in your mouth can be is an unpleasant experience, “Fjaeldstad added.
The study is interesting both for patients suffering from sensory loss as well as clinicians and researchers working with diagnostics and follow-up on COVID-19, the researchers said.
“It shows that there is a specific odor loss for COVID-19, which is both relevant to the identification of the disease, and because it shows that odor sensitivity is closely linked as SARS-CoV -2 affects the body, “Fjaeldstad said.
Previously, researchers have established the correlation between COVID-19 and the loss of chemical sensitivity on smaller studies ,. The new studies collected a lot of data from countries around the world.
“The results are in line with our own national studies and pave the way for future studies on risk factors for permanent sensory loss, along with a better understanding of the impact of these sensory loss for patients,” said Fjaeldstad .
This story was published from a wire group group with no text changes.