The Effects of Persistent Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunctions on Quality of Life in Long-COVID-19 Patients

Life

Jerome R. Lechien¹  Sven Saussez¹  Paolo Boscolo-Rizzo²  Giovanna Deiana³  Claire Hopkins⁴  Federico Biglioli⁵  Pasquale Piombino⁶  Giovanni Salzano⁶  Fabio Maglitto⁶  Andrea Biglio⁷  Luigi Angelo Vaira⁷  Claudia Gessa⁷  Giacomo De Riu⁷  Valentina Parma⁸ 

[1] Department of Human and Experimental Oncology, Faculty of Medicine UMONS Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons (UMons), 7000 Mons, Belgium;Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy;Direction, Hygiene and Hospital Infection Control Operative Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London SE1 7EH, UK;Maxillofacial Surgery Department, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy;Maxillofacial Surgery Department, University Hospital of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;Maxillofacial Surgery Operative Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;

关键词: smell;    taste;    olfactory disorders;    gustatory disorders;    anosmia;    ageusia;   

DOI  :  10.3390/life12020141

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

(1) Background: Persistent olfactory (POD) and gustatory (PGD) dysfunctions are one of the most frequent symptoms of long-Coronavirus Disease 2019 but their effect on the quality of life (QoL) of patients is still largely unexplored. (2) Methods: An online survey was administered to individuals who reported to have had SARS-CoV-2 infection at least 6 months prior with persisting COVID-19 symptoms (using the COVID symptom index), including ratings of POD and PGD, and their physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) components of quality of life were assessed using the standardized short form 12 questionnaire (SF-12). (3) Results: Responses from 431 unique individuals were included in the analyses. The most frequent persistent symptoms were: fatigue (185 cases, 42.9%), olfactory dysfunction (127 cases, 29.5%), gustatory dysfunction (96 cases, 22.3%) and muscle pain (83 cases, 19.3%). Respondents who reported persisting muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, and dyspnea had significantly worse PCS. Those experiencing persistent fatigue and dyspnea also showed significantly lower MCS. Respondents reporting POD or PGD showed significantly worse QoL, but only pertaining to the MCS. Multiple regressions predicted MCS based on olfactory and marginally on gustatory ratings, but not PCS. Age significantly affected the prediction of PCS but not MCS, and gender and temporal distance from the COVID-19 diagnosis had no effect. (4) Conclusions: POD and PGD are frequent symptoms of the long-COVID-19 syndrome and significantly reduce QoL, specifically in the mental health component. This evidence should stimulate the establishment of appropriate infrastructure to support individuals with persistent CD, while research on effective therapies scales up.

【 授权许可】

Unknown