Long term loss of smell and taste for 27 million covid patients worldwide

Women were less likely to recover their sense of smell and taste

03-Aug-2022 - Singapore

In a study published by the BMJ (British Medical Journal), a team of Singapore and international researchers from United Kingdom and United States of America, found that about 5% of the global population may develop long term issues with their sense of smell or taste after coming down with COVID- 19.

The loss of taste and smell are common reported symptoms in COVID-19 patients, with up to 50% of patients globally experiencing them, but little is known about their clinical course or how many patients develop persistent dysfunction.

There are more than 550 million confirmed COVID-19 cases to date (as of July 2022). Of which, about 15 million and 12 million patients may experience long term smell and taste dysfunction respectively, according to the study.

The loss of smell and taste can have an impact on quality of life and general health and this could contribute to the rising burden of long COVID, a long-term side effect from their infection.

Based on 18 observational studies involving 3,699 patients from 12 countries, the research team utilised a mathematical technique known as cure modelling to estimate self -reported rates of smell and taste recovery and identify key factors associated with the duration and likelihood of recovery. They found that 5.6% and 4.4% of patients might develop long lasting self-reported smell and taste dysfunction post-covid-19, respectively – about 15 million and 12 million patients worldwide as of July 2022. At 30 days after initial infection, only 74% and 79% of patients had their sense of smell and taste restored respectively.

Women were less likely to recover their sense of smell and taste, and patients with greater initial severity of dysfunction and those with nasal congestion were less likely to recover their sense of smell.

While most patients are expected to recover their sense of smell or taste within the first three months, a group of patients might develop long lasting dysfunction that requires timely identification, personalised treatment, and long-term follow-up.

These findings are likely to be of substantial relevance to general doctors and otolaryngologists in the counselling of patients with smell and taste disorders post-COVID-19, the team concluded.

“We hope that the results of this study will draw the attention of the medical fraternity worldwide to the long-term issues associated with taste and smell loss. There are studies that point to poorer quality of life, depression and higher mortality in patients with poorer smell function even before this pandemic. Healthcare providers around the world should be cognizant of this given the huge number of affected individuals that need support and help,” said Associate Professor Toh Song Tar, Head, Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

Original publication

Tan B K J, Han R, Zhao J J, Tan N K W, Quah E S H, Tan C J et al. Prognosis and persistence of smell and taste dysfunction in patients with covid-19: meta-analysis with parametric cure modelling of recovery curves BMJ 2022; 378 :e069503

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