Prevalence of olfactory dysfunctions in patients diagnosedwith COVID-19 at the San José Hospital between 2020 and 2022

Main Article Content

Jorge Luis Herrera Ariza
Gency Yustin Burbano Bolaños
Zully Julieth Cabezas Calderón
María Paula Bohórquez Pineda

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had a global impact leading to multiple con­sequences for health and quality of life. Among the associated symptoms, olfactory alterations are relevant manifestations, with variations in their prevalence across different geographic regions. However, in Colombia, few studies have specifically addressed this topic. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of olfactory dysfunctions in patients with COVID-19 at Hospital San José Centro in Bogotá, and to explore potential risk factors and their impact on the quality of life of those affected. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using medical records of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at Hospital San José Centro between 2020 and 2022. A total of 678 records were reviewed, and sociodemogra­phic, clinical, and treatment data were extracted. Analytical and bivariate statistical analyses were performed to identify associations between olfactory dysfunction and other variables. Results: The prevalence of olfactory dysfunction was 38.39%. No associations were found with sex, type of medical care, or disease severity. A high prevalence of taste disturbances was observed among patients with olfactory dys­function. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to expand research in this area to better understand the long-term impact of olfactory dysfunctions and to de­velop more effective interventions.

Article Details

Section

Trabajos Originales

How to Cite

1.
Prevalence of olfactory dysfunctions in patients diagnosedwith COVID-19 at the San José Hospital between 2020 and 2022. Acta otorrinolaringol cir cabeza cuello [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 4 [cited 2025 Dec. 4];53(3):226-33. Available from: https://revista.acorl.org.co/index.php/acorl/article/view/785

References

1. Renaud M, Thibault C, Le Normand F, Mcdonald EG, Gallix B, Debry C, et al. Clinical outcomes for patients with anosmia 1 year after COVID-19 diagnosis. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(6):e2115352-e2115352.

2. Meng X, Deng Y, Dai Z, Meng Z. COVID-19 and anosmia: A review based on up-to-date knowledge. Am J Otolaryngol. 2020;41(5):102581.

3. Saussez S, Lechien JR, Hopkins C. Anosmia: an evolution of our understanding of its importance in COVID-19 and what questions remain to be answered. European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology. 2021;278:2187-91.

4. Economist T. What Is the Economic Cost of Covid-19? The Economist; 2021. Disponible en: https://www.economist.com/ finance-and-economics/2021/01/09/what-is-the-economic-cost-of covid19?utm_medium=cpc.adword.pd&utm_source=google&ppccampaignID=19495686130&ppcadID=&utm_campaign=a.22brand_pmax&utm_content=conversion.direct-response.anonymous&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19495464887&gbraid=0AAAAADBuq3I-eZg9kX6AEPeKwgTXG2qSd&gclid=CjwKCAjw6vHHBhBwEiwAq4zv A85pxZXq1NghK9CgzY2fKxNUq0h4KJMuP1dxl2EAhiuYl Ro-7vn5XxoC1D8QAvD_BwE

5. Alimohamadi Y, Sepandi M, Taghdir M, Hosamirudsari H. Determine the most common clinical symptoms in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Prev Med Hyg. 2020;61(3):E304.

6. Gane SB, Kelly C, Hopkins C. Isolated sudden onset anosmia in COVID-19 infection. A novel syndrome. Rhinology. 2020;58(3):299-301.

7. Castro HM, Canale HL, Ferreyro BL, Prieto MA, Massimino BE, Funtowicz G, et al. Características clínicas de la enfermedad por Coronavirus 2019 en un centro de Argentina. Cohorte retrospective. Medicina (Buenos Aires). 2020;80:35-43.

8. Ashktorab H, Pizuorno A, Oskroch G, Fierro NA, Sherif ZA, Brim H. COVID-19 in Latin America: symptoms, morbidities, and gastrointestinal manifestations. Gastroenterology. 2021;160(3):938-40.

9. Young BE, Ong SWX, Kalimuddin S, Low JG, Tan SY, Loh J, t al. Epidemiologic features and clinical course of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Singapore. JAMA. 2020;323(15):1488-94.

10. Gros JL, Coma MI, Farré MG, Pujadas CS. Alteraciones del olfato en la COVID-19, revisión de la evidencia e implicaciones en el manejo de la pandemia. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp. 2020;71(6):379-85.

11. Díaz-Reyna D, Pineda-Cásares F, Andrade-Galicia A, Aguilar- García CR, Gutiérrez-Ortiz M, Gelover-Manzo R. Frecuencia de anosmia y disgeusia en pacientes hospitalizados con SARS-CoV-2. Medicina Interna de México. 2021;37(1):56-61.

12. Romero-Gameros CA, López-Moreno MA, Anaya-Dyck A, Flores-Najera SS, Mendoza- Zubieta V, Martínez-Ordaz JL, et al. Alteraciones del gusto y olfato en el contexto de la pandemia por SARSCoV-2. An Orl Mex. 2020;65(3):147-155.

13. Saniasiaya J, Islam MA, Abdullah B. Prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a meta-analysis of 27,492 patients. Laryngoscope. 2021;131(4):865-78.

14. Lechien JR, Chiesa-Estomba CM, De Siati DR, Horoi M, Le Bon SD, Rodriguez A, et al. Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions as a clinical presentation of mild-to-moderate forms of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a multicenter European study. European Archives of Oto-rhino-laryngology. 2020;277(8):2251-61.

15. Toledano A, Rodríguez G, Martín AM, Onrubia T, Galindo N. Quality of life in patients with smell loss due to upper respiratory tract infections. Am J Otolaryngol.2011;32(6):504-10.

16. Matsuishi Y, Mathis BJ, Shimojo N, Subrina J, Okubo N, Inoue Y. Severe COVID-19 infection associated with endothelial dysfunction induces multiple organ dysfunction: a review of therapeutic interventions. Biomedicines. 2021;9(3):279.

17. Zietz M, Zucker J, Tatonetti NP. Associations between blood type and COVID-19 infection, intubation, and death. Nat Commun. 2020;11(1):5761.

18. Mullol J, Mariño-Sánchez F, Valls M, Alobid I, Marin C. The sense of smell in chronic rhinosinusitis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2020;145(3):773-6.

19. Doty RL. The mechanisms of smell loss after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Lancet Neurol. 2021;20(9):693-5.

20. Aziz M, Goyal H, Haghbin H, Lee-Smith WM, Gajendran M, Perisetti A. The association of “loss of smell” to COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med Sci. 2021;361(2):216-25.

21. Barón-Sánchez J, Santiago C, Goizueta-San Martín G, Arca R, Fernández R. Afectación del sentido del olfato y el gusto en la enfermedad leve por coronavirus (COVID-19) en pacientes españoles [Smell and taste disorders in Spanish patients with mild COVID-19]. Neurologia. 2020;35(9):633-638.

22. Saniasiya j, Islam MA. Prevalence of olfatory dysfuntion in coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19): A meta-analysis. Laryngoscope. 2021;131(4):865-878.

23. Borsetto D, Hopkins C, Philips V, Obholzer R, Tirelli G, Polesel J, et al. Self-reporte alteration of sense of smell or taste in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis on 3563 patients. Rhinology. 2020;58(5):430-6.

24. von Bartheld CS, Hagen MM, Butowt R. Prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis reveals significant ethnic differences. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2020;11(19):2944-61.

25. Spinato G, Fabbris C, Polesel J, Cazzador D, Borsetto D, Hopkins C, et al. Alterations in smell or taste in mildly symptomatic outpatients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. JAMA. 2020;323(20):2089–90.

26. Amadu AM, Vaira LA, Lechien JR, Scaglione M, Saba L, Lampus ML, et al. Analysis of the correlations between the severity of lung involvement and olfactory psychophysical scores in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2022;12(1):103-107.

27. Yan CH, Faraji F, Prajapati DP, Ostrander BT, DeConde AS. Self-reported olfactory loss associates with outpatient clinical course in COVID-19. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2020;10(7):821-831.