Background: Smell and taste dysfunctions (STDs) are symptoms associated with COVID-19 syndrome, even if their incidence is still uncertain and variable. Aims: In this study, the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on chemosensory function have been investigated using both a self-reporting questionnaire on smell and flavor perception, and a simplified flavor test. Methods: A total of 111 subjects (19 hospitalized [HOS] and 37 home-isolated [HI] COVID-19 patients, and 55 healthy controls [CTRL]) were enrolled in the study. They received a self-evaluation questionnaire and a self-administered flavor test kit. The flavor test used consists in the self-administration of four solutions with a pure olfactory stimulus (coffee), a mixed olfactory-trigeminal stimulus (peppermint), and a complex chemical mixture (banana). Results: After SARS-CoV-2 infection, HOS and HI patients reported similar prevalence of STDs, with a significant reduction of both smell and flavor self-estimated perception. The aromas of the flavor test were recognized by HI and HOS COVID-19 patients similarly to CTRL; however, the intensity of the perceived aromas was significantly lower in patients compared to controls. Conclusion: Data reported here suggests that a chemosensory impairment is present after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the modified "flavor test" could be a novel self-administering objective screening test to assess STDs in COVID-19 patients.

Quantitative but not qualitative flavor recognition impairments in COVID-19 patients / Nettore, Immacolata Cristina; Cantone, Elena; Palatucci, Giuseppe; Franchini, Fabiana; Maturi, Rufina; Nerilli, Mariagiovanna; Manzillo, Elio; Foggia, Maria; Maione, Luigi; Ungaro, Paola; Colao, Annamaria; Macchia, Paolo Emidio. - In: IRISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE. - ISSN 0021-1265. - (2021). [10.1007/s11845-021-02786-x]

Quantitative but not qualitative flavor recognition impairments in COVID-19 patients

Nettore, Immacolata Cristina;Cantone, Elena;Palatucci, Giuseppe;Franchini, Fabiana;Maturi, Rufina;Nerilli, Mariagiovanna;Foggia, Maria;Maione, Luigi;Ungaro, Paola;Colao, Annamaria;Macchia, Paolo Emidio
2021

Abstract

Background: Smell and taste dysfunctions (STDs) are symptoms associated with COVID-19 syndrome, even if their incidence is still uncertain and variable. Aims: In this study, the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on chemosensory function have been investigated using both a self-reporting questionnaire on smell and flavor perception, and a simplified flavor test. Methods: A total of 111 subjects (19 hospitalized [HOS] and 37 home-isolated [HI] COVID-19 patients, and 55 healthy controls [CTRL]) were enrolled in the study. They received a self-evaluation questionnaire and a self-administered flavor test kit. The flavor test used consists in the self-administration of four solutions with a pure olfactory stimulus (coffee), a mixed olfactory-trigeminal stimulus (peppermint), and a complex chemical mixture (banana). Results: After SARS-CoV-2 infection, HOS and HI patients reported similar prevalence of STDs, with a significant reduction of both smell and flavor self-estimated perception. The aromas of the flavor test were recognized by HI and HOS COVID-19 patients similarly to CTRL; however, the intensity of the perceived aromas was significantly lower in patients compared to controls. Conclusion: Data reported here suggests that a chemosensory impairment is present after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the modified "flavor test" could be a novel self-administering objective screening test to assess STDs in COVID-19 patients.
2021
Quantitative but not qualitative flavor recognition impairments in COVID-19 patients / Nettore, Immacolata Cristina; Cantone, Elena; Palatucci, Giuseppe; Franchini, Fabiana; Maturi, Rufina; Nerilli, Mariagiovanna; Manzillo, Elio; Foggia, Maria; Maione, Luigi; Ungaro, Paola; Colao, Annamaria; Macchia, Paolo Emidio. - In: IRISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE. - ISSN 0021-1265. - (2021). [10.1007/s11845-021-02786-x]
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Nettore2021_Article_QuantitativeButNotQualitativeF.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Documento in Post-print
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 768.16 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
768.16 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11588/858733
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 3
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 3
social impact