This large population based study identified a link between the otolaryngological symptoms and patients with mild COVID-19. As found, the occurrence of olfactory dysfunction (OD), gustatory dysfunction (GD) and, rarely, aroma dysfunction may be regarded as noble prognostic outcomes of COVID-19 as less related with its moderate and severe-to-critical forms. Also, gender, age, and diabetes encouraged the occurrence of these otolaryngological symptoms.

This cross-sectional study of positively diagnosed COVID-19 patients (2579 patients) aimed to study the incidence and epidemiological and clinical aspects linked with OD and GD in these patients as per disease severity (mild, moderate and severe).

The epidemiological and clinical data were assessed of the patients under consideration. OD and GD were collected via patient-reported outcome questionnaire and Sniffin’Sticks tests were performed in a subgroup of patients.

Out of the total COVID-19 patients, 2166 were mild (84.0%), 144 were moderate (5.6%) and 269 were severe-to-critical (10.4%) patients. Most commonly observed symptoms were OD, GD, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea and sore throat in patients with mild COVID-19.

Occurrence of subjective OD and GD was 73.7 and 46.8%, was more common in women than men and reduces with the disease severity. Diabetes was linked with greater chances of GD.

Amid the patients who profited from psychophysical olfactory assessments, there were 75 anosmic, 43 hyposmic and 113 normosmic patients, as shown in the following figure:

Figure 1: Mean and standard deviation of Sniffin’Stick test assesses as per severity group

Occurrence of anosmia considerably reduced with disease severity. 

The patients with mild COVID-19 experience OD and GD more commonly than moderate, severe or critical cases. Women are more prone to developing OD and GD than men.