Large-Scale Study Reveals Significant Impact of COVID-19 on Olfactory and Gustatory Function

by Linda Kossoff •

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on olfactory and gustatory function in U.S. adults?

BOTTOM LINE

Most Americans diagnosed with COVID-19 since the pandemic began experienced olfactory or gustatory dysfunction; approximately 25% of them reported ongoing smell and taste disturbances.

BACKGROUND: Many COVID-19 patients have noted profound and lingering symptoms of smell loss and taste disturbances. To date there has been no large-scale epidemiological study estimating the national prevalence of olfactory or gustatory dysfunction after COVID-19 infection.

STUDY DESIGN: Data study.

SETTING: Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Boston, Mass.

SYNOPSIS: Researchers extracted demographic and survey-specific module data concerning COVID-19 diagnoses, testing, severity, disturbances, and eventual recovery of smell and taste on 29,696 adults from the 2021 adult National Health Interview Survey. Findings showed that in 2021, an estimated 35.8 million (14% of adults; 53.8% female, mean age 43.9 years) were diagnosed with COVID-19 or had received a positive test since the pandemic began. Among these, approximately two-thirds experienced changes in smell (60.5%) or taste (58.2%). Following infection, 72.2%, 24.1%, and 3.7% of the patients experienced complete, partial, and no smell recovery, respectively. Gustatory function findings paralleled olfaction findings. A significant association existed between overall COVID-19 symptom severity and smell or taste loss, as well as failure to regain full sensory function. Given these findings, authors note that treatments that can reduce overall disease burden may play an important role in helping to prevent post-infection sensory loss. Study limitations included the use of patient perception and non-objective findings.

CITATION: Mitchell MB, Workman AD, Rathi VK, Bhattacharyya N. Smell and taste loss associated with COVID-19 infection. Laryngoscope. 2023;133:2357–2361.