Valeria Dell’Era, MD (1), Filippo Farri, MD (1), Giacomo Garzaro, MD
(2), Miriam Gatto, MD (3), Paolo Aluffi Valletti, MD (1), Massimiliano
Garzaro, MD (1)
Affiliation
1 - ENT Division, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
2 – Department of Public Health and Pediatrics – University of Turin
3 - Division of Pediatrics, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara,
Italy
Acknowledgment
All authors equal contribute to this paper.
Authors declare NO conflicts of interest, including relevant
financial interests, activities, relationships, and affiliations.
Authors declare NO financial and material support for the
research.
We would like to thank you Dr. Fabio Carfagna for advice on the
Manuscript.
Corresponding Author
Valeria Dell’Era
ENT Division, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100 Novara, Italy
valeria.dellera@gmail.com
Phone +3903213733403
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2171-4120
Running title: COVID-19 and smell
Key words: COVID-19, smell, taste, coronavirus, SARS – CoV-2 symptoms
ABSTRACT
Background: As reported by increasing literature, a significant
number of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection developed smell/taste
disorders.
Aim of this study is to determine prevalence and severity of these
symptoms among laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patients. Secondary
objective is to determine their onset/recovery time.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March
10th to March 30th 2020 at Novara University Hospital during the
COVID-19 Italian outbreak. The 355 enrolled patients answered a
questionnaire at 14th (or more) days after proven
infection.
Results: The overall population prevalence of both smell/taste
or one of the two disorders was 70%. They were first symptoms in 31
(8,7%) patients.
Most patients reported a complete loss that in half of the cases
(49.5%) was fully recovered after 14 days, with a median recovery time
of 10 days.
Conclusion: This study confirms high prevalence of smell/taste
disorders in COVID-19 infection with self-recovery for half cases after
about two weeks.
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