The sense of smell did not return to a quarter of Covid patients after 2 months

The sense of smell did not return to a quarter of Covid patients after 2 months

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Nearly a quarter of patients who have experienced loss of smell due to coronavirus have not seen it return two months later, according to a new study

  • The researchers analyzed data from 2,581 patients from 18 European hospitals
  • Reveals that 24.1% did not recover the smell and taste within 60 days after infection
  • But the senses returned to 95% of patients six months after infection

By Joe Pinkstone for Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Loss of consciousness, smell and taste are common symptoms of Covid-19 and new data show that it affects 86 percent of individuals with mild cases.

However, only 4.5 percent of people with moderate cases and 6.9 percent in severe to critical cases claim to have these symptoms.

The study by the University of Paris Saclay also reveals that for a quarter of people (24.1 percent) the smell and taste do not return within 60 days after infection.

But the vast majority (95 percent) of all patients recover their sense of smell six months after infection.

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The study by the University of Paris Saclay reveals that, for almost a quarter of people (24.1 percent), their smell and taste did not return within 60 days after infection

The study by the University of Paris Saclay reveals that, for almost a quarter of people (24.1 percent), their smell and taste did not return within 60 days after infection

The values ​​vary depending on whether the symptom is reported by the patient himself or by the doctor.

Objective clinical evaluations found loss of smell in 54.7 percent of mild cases of COVID-19 and 36.6 percent of moderate to critical cases of COVID-19.

And two months later, almost a quarter of the patients still suffered from a lack of smell, also known as anosmia.

The researchers examined anonymous data from more than 2,000 people in 18 different European hospitals.

Objective clinical evaluations found loss of smell in 54.7 percent of mild cases of COVID-19 and 36.6 percent of moderate to critical cases of COVID-19. Researchers found olfactory dysfunction in more than half of mild viral infections (stock)

Objective clinical evaluations found loss of smell in 54.7 percent of mild cases of COVID-19 and 36.6 percent of moderate to critical cases of COVID-19. Researchers found olfactory dysfunction in more than half of mild viral infections (stock)

What is anosmia?

Anosmia is the medical name of a disease in which someone suffers a total or partial loss of smell and / or taste.

The most common isolated cause of the condition – temporary or permanent – are diseases that affect the nose or sinuses, such as polyps that grow in the airways, bone or cartilage fractures, hay fever or tumors.

It is different from hyposmia, which is a decreased sensitivity to some or all smells.

About 3.5 million people in the UK are affected by the disease, along with almost 10 million in the United States. It is surprisingly common and affects between three and five percent of people.

Head injuries and diseases of the nervous system, such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, can also contribute to the disease, damaging the nerves in the nose, which are responsible for detecting odors.

Professor Jerome Lechien, lead author of the study at the University of Paris Saclay, said: ‘Olfactory dysfunction is more prevalent in mild COVID-19 forms than in moderate to critical forms, and 95 percent of patients recover their sense of smell in six months. after infection. ‘

The average length of this ‘olfactory dysfunction’ reported by patients was 21.6 days, the researchers found.

Young patients may have a higher rate of anosmia compared to the elderly, the scientists said.

Professor Lechien added: ‘In the two months of follow-up, 75 percent to 85 percent of patients recovered their sense of smell according to subjective and objective olfactory assessments.

The main hypothesis underlying the higher prevalence of anosmia in mild COVID-19 would be differences in the immune response to infection in mild and moderate to critical patients.

‘Future studies are needed to determine the long-term recovery rate of patients with COVID-19.’

The study subjects were tested using 16 scent pens and analyzed 30 and 60 days, six months after the initial infection.

Mild patients were defined as those without evidence of viral pneumonia or hypoxia – lack of oxygen – and generally recovered at home, while severe cases involved hospitalization.

The study was published today in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

Young patients with COVID-19 are more likely to lose their sense of smell and taste than older people

Younger people with COVID-19 are more likely to lose their sense of smell and taste than older patients, a new study has found.

Irish researchers examined 46 infected patients who were asked to evaluate changes in their smell, known as anosmia, and in taste, known as ageusia.

About half of the participants experienced dysfunction of smell and taste, which is a known symptom of infectious disease.

But while older people are generally more vulnerable to other effects of COVID-19, younger patients are more likely to have anosmia and ageusia, they found.

It is possible that a loss of smell and taste in young patients will appear instead of more significant symptoms, such as cough and fever.

Despite this, people should isolate themselves if they lose their sense of smell or taste, as it is an officially recognized symptom of the disease.

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