COVID-19-associated anosmia
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Moises Romo M.D.
Synonyms and keywords:
Overview
Anosmia has been formally recognized as a characteristic symptom of COVID-19 infection, and may be the most common sign of infection due to this virus.[1]
The extent of potential olfactory dysfunction due to COVID-19 is still unclear.[2]
Historical Perspective
COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak initiated in December, 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.[2]
Classification
There is no established system for the classification of COVID-19 associated anosmia.
Pathophysiology
- Now in day, more than 200 types of viruses are identified to cause anosmia; coronavirus strains (7 of them) are responsable of 10-15% of the cases.[1][3][2]
- The extent of potential olfactory dysfunction due to COVID-19 is still unclear.[2][4]
- Human strains of coronavirus (HCoVs) can infect and spread through the olfactory bulb.[5][1]
- The genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 is a 29,903 bp single-stranded RNA.[2][6]
- The mechanism of central nervous system (CNS) invasion is unclear.[5]
- Studies suggest that viruses may propagate from the nasal cavity to the olfactory bulb through neuron-to-neuron axonal transport or passive diffusion of released viral particles.[5]
- Due to the special anatomy of the olfactory system, COVID-19 virus may invade the central nervous system infections via the cribriform plate.[2][7]
- A study from Germany described that approximately two thirds of confirmed COVID-19 infections presented anosmia and dysgeusia at some point of the disease.[8] Another study from South Korea, with 3191 mild-disease patients reported only 15.3% of anosmia or dysgeusia.[9]
- In a study, 74.4% reported complete loss of smell.[1]
- Anosmia may occur as the only symptom of COVID-19 in approximately 16% of individuals.[1]
- Anosmia occurs more commonly after the onset of other symptoms. In a study involving 1325 participants with anosmia (with no confirmatory COVID-19 test), 13% reported anosmia before their onset, 38.4% at the same time, and in 48.6% after the onset of symptoms.[1]
- Pathogenicity, virology, and predilection for infection site are different for every virus. The main pathogenic site for COVID-19 is throat and nose.[10][2]
- Viral loads of COVID-19 are higher in the nasal cavity than any other site of infection (throat, lungs), both, in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.[11][2]
- It is thought that Goblet cells and ciliated cells of the nasal mucosa may be the initial site of COVID-19 infection when transmission is through airway.[2][12]
Causes
Disease name] may be caused by [cause1], [cause2], or [cause3].
OR
Common causes of [disease] include [cause1], [cause2], and [cause3].
OR
The most common cause of [disease name] is [cause 1]. Less common causes of [disease name] include [cause 2], [cause 3], and [cause 4].
OR
The cause of [disease name] has not been identified. To review risk factors for the development of [disease name], click here.
Differentiating COVID-19-associated anosmia from other Diseases
[Disease name] must be differentiated from other diseases that cause [clinical feature 1], [clinical feature 2], and [clinical feature 3], such as [differential dx1], [differential dx2], and [differential dx3].
OR
[Disease name] must be differentiated from [[differential dx1], [differential dx2], and [differential dx3].
Epidemiology and Demographics
- Postviral anosmia constitutes 40% of all anosmia causes in adults.[1][13]
- Further studies are requiered to establish the incidence of anosmia in COVID-19+ patients.[1]
- Severe olfactory loss (complete anosmia) is estimated to have an estimated prevalence of around 5% in general population studies (independently of infection).[1][14]
The incidence/prevalence of [disease name] is approximately [number range] per 100,000 individuals worldwide.
OR
In [year], the incidence/prevalence of [disease name] was estimated to be [number range] cases per 100,000 individuals worldwide.
OR
In [year], the incidence of [disease name] is approximately [number range] per 100,000 individuals with a case-fatality rate of [number range]%.
Patients of all age groups may develop [disease name].
OR
The incidence of [disease name] increases with age; the median age at diagnosis is [#] years.
OR
[Disease name] commonly affects individuals younger than/older than [number of years] years of age.
OR
[Chronic disease name] is usually first diagnosed among [age group].
OR
[Acute disease name] commonly affects [age group].
There is no racial predilection to [disease name].
OR
[Disease name] usually affects individuals of the [race 1] race. [Race 2] individuals are less likely to develop [disease name].
[Disease name] affects men and women equally.
OR
[Gender 1] are more commonly affected by [disease name] than [gender 2]. The [gender 1] to [gender 2] ratio is approximately [number > 1] to 1.
The majority of [disease name] cases are reported in [geographical region].
OR
[Disease name] is a common/rare disease that tends to affect [patient population 1] and [patient population 2].
Risk Factors
Advanced age and male gender are risk factors for developing anosmia in patients with COVID-19 infection.[1][15][16]
There are no established risk factors for [disease name].
OR
The most potent risk factor in the development of [disease name] is [risk factor 1]. Other risk factors include [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].
OR
Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] include [risk factor 1], [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].
OR
Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] may be occupational, environmental, genetic, and viral.
Screening
- Several ENT societies in the United Kingdom and the United States, have advised to treat anosmia marker of SARS-CoV-2 infection.[17][18][19]
- The American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) proposed for anosmia, hyposmia, and dysgeusia to be added to the list of screening tools for COVID-19 in otherwise asymptomatic individuals.[19][17]
There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for [disease/malignancy].
OR
According to the [guideline name], screening for [disease name] is not recommended.
OR
According to the [guideline name], screening for [disease name] by [test 1] is recommended every [duration] among patients with [condition 1], [condition 2], and [condition 3].
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
If left untreated, [#]% of patients with [disease name] may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
OR
Common complications of [disease name] include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
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Prognosis is generally excellent/good/poor, and the 1/5/10-year mortality/survival rate of patients with [disease name] is approximately [#]%.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
The diagnosis of [disease name] is made when at least [number] of the following [number] diagnostic criteria are met: [criterion 1], [criterion 2], [criterion 3], and [criterion 4].
OR
The diagnosis of [disease name] is based on the [criteria name] criteria, which include [criterion 1], [criterion 2], and [criterion 3].
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The diagnosis of [disease name] is based on the [definition name] definition, which includes [criterion 1], [criterion 2], and [criterion 3].
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There are no established criteria for the diagnosis of [disease name].
History and Symptoms
The majority of patients with [disease name] are asymptomatic.
OR
The hallmark of [disease name] is [finding]. A positive history of [finding 1] and [finding 2] is suggestive of [disease name]. The most common symptoms of [disease name] include [symptom 1], [symptom 2], and [symptom 3]. Common symptoms of [disease] include [symptom 1], [symptom 2], and [symptom 3]. Less common symptoms of [disease name] include [symptom 1], [symptom 2], and [symptom 3].
Physical Examination
Patients with [disease name] usually appear [general appearance]. Physical examination of patients with [disease name] is usually remarkable for [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
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Common physical examination findings of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
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The presence of [finding(s)] on physical examination is diagnostic of [disease name].
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The presence of [finding(s)] on physical examination is highly suggestive of [disease name].
Laboratory Findings
An elevated/reduced concentration of serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].
OR
Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of [disease name] include [abnormal test 1], [abnormal test 2], and [abnormal test 3].
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[Test] is usually normal among patients with [disease name].
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Some patients with [disease name] may have elevated/reduced concentration of [test], which is usually suggestive of [progression/complication].
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There are no diagnostic laboratory findings associated with [disease name].
Electrocardiogram
There are no ECG findings associated with [disease name].
OR
An ECG may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an ECG suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
X-ray
There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name].
OR
An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an x-ray suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name]. However, an x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with [disease name].
OR
Echocardiography/ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an echocardiography/ultrasound suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with [disease name]. However, an echocardiography/ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
CT scan
There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name].
OR
[Location] CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on CT scan suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name]. However, a CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
MRI
There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name].
OR
[Location] MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on MRI suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name]. However, a MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
Other Imaging Findings
There are no other imaging findings associated with [disease name].
OR
[Imaging modality] may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an [imaging modality] suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Other Diagnostic Studies
There are no other diagnostic studies associated with [disease name].
OR
[Diagnostic study] may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
Other diagnostic studies for [disease name] include [diagnostic study 1], which demonstrates [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3], and [diagnostic study 2], which demonstrates [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Treatment
Medical Therapy
There is no treatment for [disease name]; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.
OR
Supportive therapy for [disease name] includes [therapy 1], [therapy 2], and [therapy 3].
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The majority of cases of [disease name] are self-limited and require only supportive care.
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[Disease name] is a medical emergency and requires prompt treatment.
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The mainstay of treatment for [disease name] is [therapy].
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The optimal therapy for [malignancy name] depends on the stage at diagnosis.
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[Therapy] is recommended among all patients who develop [disease name].
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Pharmacologic medical therapy is recommended among patients with [disease subclass 1], [disease subclass 2], and [disease subclass 3].
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Pharmacologic medical therapies for [disease name] include (either) [therapy 1], [therapy 2], and/or [therapy 3].
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Empiric therapy for [disease name] depends on [disease factor 1] and [disease factor 2].
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Patients with [disease subclass 1] are treated with [therapy 1], whereas patients with [disease subclass 2] are treated with [therapy 2].
Surgery
Surgical intervention is not recommended for the management of [disease name].
OR
Surgery is not the first-line treatment option for patients with [disease name]. Surgery is usually reserved for patients with either [indication 1], [indication 2], and [indication 3]
OR
The mainstay of treatment for [disease name] is medical therapy. Surgery is usually reserved for patients with either [indication 1], [indication 2], and/or [indication 3].
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The feasibility of surgery depends on the stage of [malignancy] at diagnosis.
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Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for [disease or malignancy].
Primary Prevention
There are no established measures for the primary prevention of [disease name].
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There are no available vaccines against [disease name].
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Effective measures for the primary prevention of [disease name] include [measure1], [measure2], and [measure3].
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[Vaccine name] vaccine is recommended for [patient population] to prevent [disease name]. Other primary prevention strategies include [strategy 1], [strategy 2], and [strategy 3].
Secondary Prevention
There are no established measures for the secondary prevention of [disease name].
OR
Effective measures for the secondary prevention of [disease name] include [strategy 1], [strategy 2], and [strategy 3].
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Hopkins C, Surda P, Kumar N (June 2020). "Presentation of new onset anosmia during the COVID-19 pandemic". Rhinology. 58 (3): 295–298. doi:10.4193/Rhin20.116. PMID 32277751 Check
|pmid=
value (help). - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Meng X, Deng Y, Dai Z, Meng Z (June 2020). "COVID-19 and anosmia: A review based on up-to-date knowledge". Am J Otolaryngol. 41 (5): 102581. doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.102581. PMC 7265845 Check
|pmc=
value (help). PMID 32563019 Check|pmid=
value (help). - ↑ Eccles R (November 2005). "Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza". Lancet Infect Dis. 5 (11): 718–25. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(05)70270-X. PMC 7185637 Check
|pmc=
value (help). PMID 16253889. - ↑ Hummel T, Whitcroft KL, Andrews P, Altundag A, Cinghi C, Costanzo RM, Damm M, Frasnelli J, Gudziol H, Gupta N, Haehne A, Holbrook E, Hong SC, Hornung D, Hüttenbrink KB, Kamel R, Kobayashi M, Konstantinidis I, Landis BN, Leopold DA, Macchi A, Miwa T, Moesges R, Mullol J, Mueller CA, Ottaviano G, Passali GC, Philpott C, Pinto JM, Ramakrishnan VJ, Rombaux P, Roth Y, Schlosser RA, Shu B, Soler G, Stjärne P, Stuck BA, Vodicka J, Welge-Luessen A (March 2017). "Position paper on olfactory dysfunction". Rhinol. Suppl. 54 (26): 1–30. doi:10.4193/Rhino16.248. PMID 29528615.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Dubé M, Le Coupanec A, Wong A, Rini JM, Desforges M, Talbot PJ (September 2018). "Axonal Transport Enables Neuron-to-Neuron Propagation of Human Coronavirus OC43". J. Virol. 92 (17). doi:10.1128/JVI.00404-18. PMC 6096804. PMID 29925652. Vancouver style error: initials (help)
- ↑ Baig AM, Khaleeq A, Ali U, Syeda H (April 2020). "Evidence of the COVID-19 Virus Targeting the CNS: Tissue Distribution, Host-Virus Interaction, and Proposed Neurotropic Mechanisms". ACS Chem Neurosci. 11 (7): 995–998. doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00122. PMC 7094171 Check
|pmc=
value (help). PMID 32167747 Check|pmid=
value (help). - ↑ Koyuncu OO, Hogue IB, Enquist LW (April 2013). "Virus infections in the nervous system". Cell Host Microbe. 13 (4): 379–93. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2013.03.010. PMC 3647473. PMID 23601101.
- ↑ "Neue Corona-Symptome entdeckt: Virologe Hendrik Streeck zum Virus".
- ↑ "[단독]대구 확진자 3191명 중 15%, 후각이나 미각 잃었다 - 중앙일보".
- ↑ Rockx B, Kuiken T, Herfst S, Bestebroer T, Lamers MM, Oude Munnink BB, de Meulder D, van Amerongen G, van den Brand J, Okba N, Schipper D, van Run P, Leijten L, Sikkema R, Verschoor E, Verstrepen B, Bogers W, Langermans J, Drosten C, Fentener van Vlissingen M, Fouchier R, de Swart R, Koopmans M, Haagmans BL (May 2020). "Comparative pathogenesis of COVID-19, MERS, and SARS in a nonhuman primate model". Science. 368 (6494): 1012–1015. doi:10.1126/science.abb7314. PMC 7164679 Check
|pmc=
value (help). PMID 32303590 Check|pmid=
value (help). Vancouver style error: initials (help) - ↑ Zou L, Ruan F, Huang M, Liang L, Huang H, Hong Z, Yu J, Kang M, Song Y, Xia J, Guo Q, Song T, He J, Yen HL, Peiris M, Wu J (March 2020). "SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load in Upper Respiratory Specimens of Infected Patients". N. Engl. J. Med. 382 (12): 1177–1179. doi:10.1056/NEJMc2001737. PMC 7121626 Check
|pmc=
value (help). PMID 32074444 Check|pmid=
value (help). - ↑ Sungnak W, Huang N, Bécavin C, Berg M, Queen R, Litvinukova M, Talavera-López C, Maatz H, Reichart D, Sampaziotis F, Worlock KB, Yoshida M, Barnes JL (May 2020). "SARS-CoV-2 entry factors are highly expressed in nasal epithelial cells together with innate immune genes". Nat. Med. 26 (5): 681–687. doi:10.1038/s41591-020-0868-6. PMID 32327758 Check
|pmid=
value (help). - ↑ Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W et al. A Novel Welge -Lussen A, Wolfensberger M. (2006). "Olfactory disorders following upper respiratory tract infections". Adv Otorhinolaryngol.
- ↑ Brämerson A, Johansson L, Ek L, Nordin S, Bende M (April 2004). "Prevalence of olfactory dysfunction: the skövde population-based study". Laryngoscope. 114 (4): 733–7. doi:10.1097/00005537-200404000-00026. PMID 15064632.
- ↑ Stogbauer J, Wirkner K, Engel C, Moebus S, Pundt N, Teismann H, Loffler M, Hummel T, Beule AG, Berger K (April 2020). "Prevalence and risk factors of smell dysfunction - a comparison between five German population-based studies". Rhinology. 58 (2): 184–191. doi:10.4193/Rhin19.181. PMID 31693018.
- ↑ Wang X, Zhang C, Xia X, Yang Y, Zhou C (October 2019). "Effect of gender on odor identification at different life stages: a meta-analysis". Rhinology. 57 (5): 322–330. doi:10.4193/Rhin19.005. PMID 31152646.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Robert Pellegrin, Keiland W. Cooper, Antonella Di Pizio, Paule V. Joseph, Surabhi Bhutani, Valentina Parma (2020). "Corona Viruses and the Chemical Senses:
Past, Present, and Future". Oxford University. line feed character in
|title=
at position 40 (help) - ↑ "www.entuk.org" (PDF).
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 "AAO-HNSF 2020 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery".