In a cross-sectional eight-month follow-up study reporting the resolution rates of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in recovered COVID-19 people, it was found that following a mean follow-up of 229 days, full recovery of taste and smell functions were noted in 61.5% and 52%, respectively. But, dysfunction was found to persist in 48%-38.5% of patients.

With the help of a 7-question telephone questionnaire, Ameen Biadse et al. undertook this study (a sequel to a study by Biadsee et al.) to explore the recovery of loss of taste and smell in recovered SARS-CoV-2 patients. In the prior study population of 128 non-hospitalized people with positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results, about 97 people took part in this survey.

Data and information regarding xerostomia, loss of taste and smell, rate of recovery, and additional symptoms (nasal congestion, cough, rhinorrhea, myalgia, weakness) were collected. Overall, 43 men and 54 women with a mean age of 37.5 years were incorporated. The enrolled people were followed up for 229 days. The percentage of people reporting full and partial recovery of olfactory and gustatory function is shown in the table below:

The recovery of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction was not substantially affected by gender. The full recovery of olfactory impairment was positively linked with full recovery of gustatory impairment.  Individuals witnessing olfactory impairment as an initial symptom were found to have reduced rates of  complete olfactory recovery. Future studies are warranted to investigate the residual and persistent chemosensory dysfunction among recovered COVID-19 patients.