Post-COVID syndrome: analysis of the prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction and predictive factors of recovery in COVID-19 long-haulers in Jordan

H.M. Sawan, A.H. Khalifeh, M. Ahmed, M.M. Khalil, S.M. Al Omari, R. Binsuwaidan

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan. habusawan@zu.edu.jo

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• Infectious Diseases

OBJECTIVE: One of the major concerns of the post-COVID-19 era is elucidating and addressing the long-term complications of COVID-19.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A web-based questionnaire was distributed in Jordan to assess the prevalence and recovery from chemosensory dysfunction among COVID-19 long-haulers in Jordan.

RESULTS: A total of 611 respondents complained of chemosensory dysfunction (age range = 18-68 years), and the majority of the respondents were female (88.4%). Parosmia was the most prevalent olfactory dysfunction reported (n = 337, 33.3%), and parageusia was the most frequently reported gustatory dysfunction (n = 239, 36.4%). Medications were not reported to be associated with a better perception of smell or taste by nearly half of those who had been treated (n = 146, 46.1%). Among participants who had received olfactory rehabilitation/training (n = 215, 35.2%), 43.7% (n = 94) reported modest improvement, with the most frequently helpful scents being coffee (n = 80, 24.8%), aromatic oils (n = 74, 23%), and perfumes/colognes (n = 73, 22.7%). Age was found to have a significant negative correlation with complete recovery. In addition, age (p < .05), anosmia (p < .001), hyperosmia (p < .001), ageusia (p < .05), and duration of olfactory dysfunction (p < .001) were all independent predictors of complete recovery.

CONCLUSIONS: Chemosensory dysfunctions are largely subjective; therefore, more objective examinations are required to draw more definite conclusions.

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