Olfactory and taste dysfunction among mild‐to‐moderate symptomatic COVID‐19 positive health care workers: An international survey. Issue 6 (2nd December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Andrews, Peter J.; Pendolino, Alfonso Luca; Ottaviano, Giancarlo; Scarpa, Bruno; Grant, Joseph; Gaudioso, Piergiorgio; Bordin, Anna; Marchese‐Ragona, Rosario; Leoni, Davide; Cattelan, Annamaria; Kaura, Anika; Gane, Simon; Hamilton, Nick J.; Choi, David; Andrews, Julie A.
• Is Part Of: Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology. Volume 5:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 1019
• Page End: 1028
• Publication Date: 2020-12-02
• Subjects: COVID‐19 -- olfactory dysfunction -- rhinology -- smell -- survey -- taste -- taste dysfunction; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Laryngoscopy -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology; Otolaryngology; Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1002/lio2.507
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2378-8038

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To determine the prevalence of olfactory and taste dysfunction (OD; TD) among COVID‐19 positive health care workers (HCWs), their associated risk factors and prognosis. Methods: Between May and June 2020, a longitudinal multicenter study was conducted on symptomatic COVID‐19 PCR confirmed HCWs (COVID‐19 positive) in London and Padua. Results: Hundred and fourteen COVID‐19 positive HCWs were surveyed with a response rate of 70.6% over a median follow‐up period of 52 days. UK prevalence of OD and TD was 73.1% and 69.2%, respectively. There was a male to female ratio of 1:3 with 81.6% being white, 43.7% being nurses/health care assistants (HCAs), and 39.3% being doctors. In addition, 53.2% of them worked on COVID‐19 wards. Complete recovery was reported in 31.8% for OD and 47.1% for TD with a 52 days follow‐up. The job role of doctors and nurses negatively influenced smell ( P = .04 and P = .02) and taste recovery ( P = .02 and P = .01). Ethnicity (being white) showed to positively influence only taste recovery ( P = .04). Sex (being female) negatively influenced OD and TD recovery only in Paduan HCWs ( P = .02 and P = .011, respectively). Working on a COVID‐19 ward did not influence prognosis. Conclusions: The prevalence of OD and TD was considerably higher in HCWs. The prognosis for OD and TD recovery was worse for nurses/HCAs and doctors but working on a COVID‐19 ward did not influence prognosis. Sixty‐eight percent of surveyed HCWs at 52 days continued to experience OD or TD requiring additional future medical management capacity. Level of Evidence: 4. Abstract : XXX.