Background: Smell and taste dysfunction are frequently reported by SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. The degree of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction varies from a very mild reduction to their complete loss. Several studies have been performed to determine their prevalence in COVID-19 patients, mostly using subjective measurement methods. The literature lacks long-term studies regarding duration and recovery. Methods: We assessed olfactory performance, using the Sniffin’ Sticks olfactory test, in a group of patients who had not reported olfactory dysfunction, around 131 days after their COVID-19 diagnosis. Results: 11 out of 20 subjects showed no olfactory reduction (65%), while 9 subjects showed reduced TDI score (45%). A total of 13 subjects (65%) scored above the cutoff point for Threshold, 16 subjects (80%) scored above the cutoff point for discrimination and 13 subjects (65%) scored above the cutoff point for identification. Conclusion: Objective measurement methods of olfactory performance show a higher prevalence of olfactory reduction compared to patients’ self-reported questionnaires. Olfactory dysfunction can last even months after its onset and because of its high prevalence, it could be a screening symptom for suspect COVID-19 cases.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, dentistry, Smell, olfactory disfunction, 【초록키워드】 Symptom, olfactory dysfunction, Prevalence, Patient, COVID-19 diagnosis, Mild, COVID-19 patients, COVID-19 cases, olfactory, reduction, dysfunction, Questionnaires, Gustatory, olfactory test, subject, taste dysfunction, SARS-CoV-2 positive patients, cutoff point, Complete, objective, performed, lack, reported, reduced, determine, scored, 【제목키워드】 dentist, report, suggestion,