The incidence and impact of anosmia on daily life after COVID-19 infection: A cross-sectional study in a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia

Authors

• Afnan F. Bukhari, From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Bukhari, Malas, Hanbazazah, Zawawi), King Abdulaziz University, and from the Department of Otolaryngology and Surgery (Malas), King Khaled Hospital, Ministry of National Guard, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Moayyad Malas, From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Bukhari, Malas, Hanbazazah, Zawawi), King Abdulaziz University, and from the Department of Otolaryngology and Surgery (Malas), King Khaled Hospital, Ministry of National Guard, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Kamal Hanbazazah, From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Bukhari, Malas, Hanbazazah, Zawawi), King Abdulaziz University, and from the Department of Otolaryngology and Surgery (Malas), King Khaled Hospital, Ministry of National Guard, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Faisal Zawawi, From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Bukhari, Malas, Hanbazazah, Zawawi), King Abdulaziz University, and from the Department of Otolaryngology and Surgery (Malas), King Khaled Hospital, Ministry of National Guard, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the impact of olfactory dysfunction’s (OD) on patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and evaluate the risk factors associated with it. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed patients who tested positive for COVID-19 over a period of 4 months (May–July 2020) and experienced OD and mild illness. Selected patients were given 2 scales Olfactory Disorders Negative Statement (QOD-NS) and Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). Results: A total of 256 patients were enrolled, out of which 196 had anosmia after COVID-19 infection. More than 75% of the participants were aged between 20-40 years and 64.3% were women. The mean score of the patients was 25.13 (SD 19.6) on the SNOT-22, while it was 4.9 (SD 4.85) on the QOD-NS. There was no association between anosmia and other comorbidities and factors (age, smoking history, allergic rhinitis history, asthma, and so on). Only 39% of patients who had anosmia after COVID-19 recovered in less than 4 months. Conclusion: Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of COVID-19 infection and it can take more than 4 months to recover. Nevertheless, this cohort reports a moderate impact on their quality of life due to anosmia.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

1354

Last Page

1362

Recommended Citation

Bukhari, Afnan F.; Malas, Moayyad; Hanbazazah, Kamal; and Zawawi, Faisal (2022) "The incidence and impact of anosmia on daily life after COVID-19 infection: A cross-sectional study in a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 43: Iss. 12, Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2022.43.12.20220559