{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: The long-term effect of COVID-19 infection on olfaction and taste; a prospective analysis.
{Author}: Boldes T;Ritter A;Soudry E;Diker D;Reifen E;Yosefof E;
{Journal}: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jul 8
{Factor}: 3.236
{DOI}: 10.1007/s00405-024-08827-2
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To estimate long-term prognosis of chemosensory dysfunctions among patients recovering from COVID-19 disease.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Between April 2020 and July 2022, we conducted a prospective, observational study enrolling 48 patients who experienced smell and/or taste dysfunction during the acute-phase of COVID-19. Patients were evaluated for chemosensory function up to 24 months after disease onset.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>During the acute-phase of COVID-19, 80% of patients reported anosmia, 15% hyposmia, 63% ageusia, and 33% hypogeusia. At two years' follow-up, 53% still experienced smell impairment, and 42% suffered from taste impairment. Moreover, 63% of patients who reported parosmia remained with olfactory disturbance. Interestingly, we found a negative correlation between visual analogue scale scores for smell and taste impairments during the acute-phase of COVID-19 and the likelihood of long-term recovery.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Our study sheds light on the natural history and long-term follow-up of chemosensory dysfunction in patients recovering from COVID-19 disease. Most patients who initially suffered from smell and/or taste disturbance did not reach full recovery after 2 years follow-up. The severity of impairment may serve as a prognostic indicator for full recovery.