Association Between Olfactory Dysfunction and Critical Illness and Mortality in COVID-19: A Meta-analysis

Association between chemosensory dysfunctions and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There is evidence that chemosensory dysfunctions, including smell and taste disorders, are common findings in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the underlying biological mechanisms and the role of inflammatory markers are still poorly understood.

AIM

To investigate the inflammatory biomarkers levels in patients with COVID-19 presenting chemosensory dysfunctions.

METHODS

This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. A systematic literature search was performed from January 1, 2020, to May 12, 2022. Observational studies that provided data on hematological, biochemical, infection-related indices and cellular immunity, and coagulation function in patients with COVID-19 experiencing smell and/or taste disorders were considered eligible. Effect sizes were reported as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A negative effect size indicated that the inflammatory biomarker levels were lower among patients with chemosensory dysfunctions.

RESULTS

Eleven studies were included. Patients with chemosensory disturbances had lower levels of leukocytes (SMD - 0.18, 95% CI - 0.35 to - 0.01, p = 0.04), lactate dehydrogenase (SMD - 0.45, 95% CI - 0.82 to - 0.09, p = 0.01), IL-6 (SMD - 0.25, 95% CI - 0.44 to - 0.06, p < 0.01), and C-reactive protein (SMD - 0.33, 95% CI - 0.58 to - 0.08, p < 0.01) than patients without chemosensory disturbances.

CONCLUSION

Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who have olfactory and gustatory disorders have a lower inflammatory response than patients who do not have chemosensory alterations. The presence of these symptoms may indicate a more favorable clinical course for COVID-19.

Smell and Taste Symptoms Among Patients With Mild and Moderately Severe COVID-19 Infection in Uganda

Objective

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may present with smell/taste dysfunctions in addition to the most frequent symptoms (fever, cough, and shortness of breath) or as the first symptom or even the only symptom. There is paucity of documentation of prevalence and characteristics of smell/taste dysfunction in COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of smell/taste symptoms in our setting to institute local evidence-based practice.

Study Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

COVID-19 treatment centers in Uganda.

Methods

Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 at 3 treatment sites from November 2020 to March 2021 were recruited. Following written informed consent, their demographics, comorbidities, and smell/taste symptoms data were collected using a questionnaire.

Results

Of 614 patients recruited, 409 (63.8%) had mild symptoms and 232 (36.2%) had moderate to severe symptoms; 64.3% were male, and the mean age was 48.6 ± 15.51 years. In total, 23.1% were health responders and 12.2% had contact with a positive case. Smell and taste impairment was seen in 425 (66.3%) patients, second to cough (71.6%). Smell and taste impairment was seen in 162 (38.1%) as the first symptom, in 128 (30%) as the only symptom, and significantly more in those with mild COVID-19 symptoms (P < .001).

Conclusion

COVID-19 manifests with various symptoms, including impairment of smell and taste. This study shows that smell and taste impairment is common and can be the first and only symptom in less severe COVID-19 infections. Therefore, inclusion in the Ministry of Health guidelines is strongly recommended.

Neurological Prognostic Factors in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19

We aimed to search whether neurological symptoms or signs (NSS) and the MEWS (Modified Early Warning Score) score were associated with in-hospital mortality or oxygen requirement during the first 14 days of hospitalization in COVID-19 patients recruited at the University Hospital in Krakow, Poland. The detailed clinical questionnaires on twenty NSS were either filled out by patients prospectively or retrospectively assessed by neurologists based on daily medical records. NSS were considered high or low-risk if they were associated with increased or decreased mortality in the univariable analysis. This cohort study included 349 patients with COVID-19 (median age 64, interquartile range (51-77), women 54.72%). The presence of high-risk NSS (decreased level of consciousness, delirium, seizures, and symptoms of stroke or transient ischemic attack) or its combination with the absence of low-risk NSS (headache, dizziness, decreased mood, and fatigue) increased the risk of in-hospital mortality in SARS-CoV-2 infection 3.13 and 7.67-fold, respectively. The presence of low-risk NSS decreased the risk of in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients more than 6-fold. Death in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, apart from NSS, was predicted by older age, neoplasm, and higher MEWS scores on admission. High-risk NSS or their combination with the absence of low-risk NSS increased the risk of oxygen requirement during hospitalization in COVID-19 patients 4.48 and 1.86-fold, respectively. Independent predictors of oxygen therapy during hospitalization in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were also older age, male sex, neoplasm, and higher MEWS score on admission.

Olfactory Dysfunction in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Review

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is wreaking havoc on public-health and economic systems worldwide. Among the several neurological symptoms of patients with COVID-19 reported in clinical practice, olfactory dysfunction (OD) is the most common. OD occurs as the earliest or the only clinical manifestation in some patients. Increasing research attention has focused on OD, which is listed as one of the main diagnostic symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection. Multiple clinical and basic-science studies on COVID-19-induced OD are underway to clarify the underlying mechanism of action. In this review, we summarize the clinical characteristics, mechanisms, evaluation methods, prognosis, and treatment options of COVID-19-induced OD. In this way, we hope to improve the understanding of COVID-19-induced OD to aid early identification and precise intervention.

Corticosteroid Use in Otolaryngology: Current Considerations During the COVID-19 Era

OBJECTIVE

To offer pragmatic, evidence-informed advice on administering corticosteroids in otolaryngology during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, considering therapeutic efficacy, potential adverse effects, susceptibility to COVID-19, and potential effects on efficacy of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, and guideline databases.

REVIEW METHODS

Guideline search strategies, supplemented by database searches on sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), idiopathic facial nerve paralysis (Bell's palsy), sinonasal polyposis, laryngotracheal disorders, head and neck oncology, and pediatric otolaryngology, prioritizing systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and COVID-19-specific findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic corticosteroids (SCSs) reduce long-term morbidity in individuals with SSNHL and Bell's palsy, reduce acute laryngotracheal edema, and have benefit in perioperative management for some procedures. Topical or locally injected corticosteroids are preferable for most other otolaryngologic indications. SCSs have not shown long-term benefit for sinonasal disorders. SCSs are not a contraindication to vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that these vaccines are safe for immunocompromised patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

SCS use for SSNHL, Bell's palsy, laryngotracheal edema, and perioperative care should follow prepandemic standards. Local or topical corticosteroids are preferable for most other otolaryngologic indications. Whether SCSs attenuate response to vaccination against COVID-19 or increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown. Immunosuppression may lower vaccine efficacy, so immunocompromised patients should adhere to recommended infection control practices. COVID-19 vaccination with Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines is safe for immunocompromised patients.