Incidence and prognosis of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain: a national multi-center survey of 35 566 population.

Meng Fan LIU; Rui Xia MA; Xian Bao CAO; Hua ZHANG; Shui Hong ZHOU; Wei Hong JIANG; Yan JIANG; Jing Wu SUN; Qin Tai YANG; Xue Zhong LI; Ya Nan SUN; Li SHI; Min WANG; Xi Cheng SONG; Fu Quan CHEN; Xiao Shu ZHANG; Hong Quan WEI; Shao Qing YU; Dong Dong ZHU; Luo BA; Zhi Wei CAO; Xu Ping XIAO; Xin WEI; Zhi Hong LIN; Feng Hong CHEN; Chun Guang SHAN; Guang Ke WANG; Jing YE; Shen Hong QU; Chang Qing ZHAO; Zhen Lin WANG; Hua Bin LI; Feng LIU; Xiao Bo CUI; Sheng Nan YE; Zheng LIU; Yu XU; Xiao CAI; Wei HANG; Ru Xin ZHANG; Yu Lin ZHAO; Guo Dong YU; Guang Gang SHI; Mei Ping LU; Yang SHEN; Yu Tong ZHAO; Jia Hong PEI; Shao Bing XIE; Long Gang YU; Ye Hai LIU; Shao wei GU; Yu Cheng YANG; Lei CHENG; Jian Feng LIU

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Incidence and prognosis of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain: a national multi-center survey of 35 566 population.

VernacularTitle:新型冠状病毒Omicron株感染后嗅觉和味觉障碍的发病率和预后：35 566份中国多中心大规模调查数据分析
Author: Meng Fan LIU ¹ ; Rui Xia MA ² ; Xian Bao CAO ³ ; Hua ZHANG ⁴ ; Shui Hong ZHOU ⁵ ; Wei Hong JIANG ⁶ ; Yan JIANG ⁷ ; Jing Wu SUN ⁸ ; Qin Tai YANG ⁹ ; Xue Zhong LI ¹⁰ ; Ya Nan SUN ¹¹ ; Li SHI ¹² ; Min WANG ¹³ ; Xi Cheng SONG ¹⁴ ; Fu Quan CHEN ¹⁵ ; Xiao Shu ZHANG ¹⁶ ; Hong Quan WEI ¹⁷ ; Shao Qing YU ¹⁸ ; Dong Dong ZHU ¹⁹ ; Luo BA ²⁰ ; Zhi Wei CAO ²¹ ; Xu Ping XIAO ²² ; Xin WEI ²³ ; Zhi Hong LIN ²⁴ ; Feng Hong CHEN ²⁵ ; Chun Guang SHAN ²⁶ ; Guang Ke WANG ²⁷ ; Jing YE ²⁸ ; Shen Hong QU ²⁹ ; Chang Qing ZHAO ³⁰ ; Zhen Lin WANG ³¹ ; Hua Bin LI ³² ; Feng LIU ³³ ; Xiao Bo CUI ³⁴ ; Sheng Nan YE ³⁵ ; Zheng LIU ³⁶ ; Yu XU ³⁷ ; Xiao CAI ³⁸ ; Wei HANG ³⁹ ; Ru Xin ZHANG ⁴⁰ ; Yu Lin ZHAO ⁴¹ ; Guo Dong YU ⁴² ; Guang Gang SHI ⁴³ ; Mei Ping LU ⁴⁴ ; Yang SHEN ⁴⁵ ; Yu Tong ZHAO ² ; Jia Hong PEI ³ ; Shao Bing XIE ⁶ ; Long Gang YU ⁷ ; Ye Hai LIU ⁴⁶ ; Shao wei GU ¹⁰ ; Yu Cheng YANG ⁴⁵ ; Lei CHENG ⁴⁴ ; Jian Feng LIU ⁴⁷
Author Information

1. Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First People's Hospital of Yinchuan, Yinchuan 750001, China.
3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650100, China.
4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, China.
5. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.
6. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
7. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China.
8. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei 230001, China.
9. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
10. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
11. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China.
12. Department of Rhinology and Allergy, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250299, China.
13. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100032, China.
14. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai 264000, China.
15. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
16. Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou 730000, China.
17. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
18. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Shanghai 200065, China.
19. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China.
20. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xizang Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Lasa 850000, China.
21. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
22. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha 410005, China.
23. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570311, China.
24. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.
25. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
26. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China.
27. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China.
28. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
29. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Nanning 530021, China.
30. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanxi Medical University Affiliated Second Hospital, Taiyuan 030001, China.
31. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, XuanWu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China.
32. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
33. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
34. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010059, China.
35. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China.
36. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
37. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China.
38. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining 810000, China.
39. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300350, China.
40. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
41. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
42. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China.
43. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China.
44. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
45. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
46. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.
47. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
MeSH: Female; Humans; Adolescent; SARS-CoV-2; Smell; COVID-19/complications*; Cross-Sectional Studies; COVID-19 Vaccines; Incidence; Olfaction Disorders/etiology*; Taste Disorders/etiology*; Prognosis
From: Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2023;58(6):579-588
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.