Alterations in Smell or Taste in Individuals Infected with SARS-CoV-2 During Periods of Omicron Variant Dominance: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

• DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4226774
• Publication Date: 2022-09-27T22:28:51Z
• Authors: Qi Jing; Jinxuan Tang; Enzhao Zhu; Qidong Liu; Miaomiao Fei; Hui Zhang; Guanghui An; Silu Cao; Jian Song; Guanghui Xu; Yi Liu; Zisheng Ai; Yingna Tao; Cheng Li; Lize Xiong
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Dominance (genetics); 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

Background: Anosmia and dysgeusia are key symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We aimed to characterize the prevalence, severity, timing, associated symptoms, impact vaccination in COVID-19 patients exhibiting these symptoms.Methods: conducted an observational study with mild Omicron variant infections admitted three mobile hospitals between April 20 May 16, 2022. Olfactory gustatory function were evaluated using Taste Smell Survey (TSS) numerical visual analog scale (VAS). Primary outcomes included correlation initial personal factors vaccination.Findings: The T1 T2 timepoint assessments completed by 688 385 participants, respectively. prevalence anosmia or group was 41%, which non-significantly different from T2. Furthermore, no difference existed severity distribution TSS, smell, taste VAS scores groups. In T1, 613 had received inactivated vaccine; after receiving doses was: one: 66·7%, two: 46·4%, three: 37·5%. Individuals higher education; three-dose vaccination; yet; cough, throat discomfort, fever significantly less prevalent. Moreover, two groups showed significant differences education level (p = 0·001) 0·0005). Prevalence headache 0·02874) muscle pain 0·04398).Interpretation: SARS-CoV-2-infected did not decrease during infection variant, but reduced, demonstrated a protective effect. Additionally, findings suggest that presence smell alterations is likely be important indicator viral invasion nervous system, urgent need exists explore early intervention reduce protect neurological function.Funding Information: National Natural Science Foundation China (grant number:8227122); Shanghai number:20ZR1442900); Fourth People's Hospital, School Medicine, Tongji University numbers: sykyqd01901, SY-XKZT-2021-2001).Declaration Interests: All authors declare competing interests.Ethics Approval Statement: approved Medical Ethics Committee Hospital affiliated (2022061-001). Electronic informed consent obtained all participants.