Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients with chemosensory disorders

Authors

Keywords:

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, smell disorders, taste disorders, anosmia, ageusia.

Abstract

Introduction: Chemosensory disorders have been identified as typical symptoms of COVID-19.
Objective: To characterize patients with COVID-19 and referred chemosensory disorders.
Methods: 152 hospitalized patients, positive for COVID-19, with referred chemosensory disorders were included. Clinical and epidemiological variables, inflammation markers, chest X-ray and treatment used were studied.
Results: The average age was 40.2 years, the female sex 59.2% and the antecedent prevailed, confirmed case contact (62.5%), with anosmia (95.7%), ageusia (93.3%), without comorbidities (53.3%) and absence of accompanying symptoms (36.8%). In patients with an indeterminate source of infection, confirmation was late (3.89 days); there were no significant differences between those who presented one or both disorders (p = 0.053), nor between those who did or did not present associated symptoms (p = 0.14). In 2% the neutrophil index was greater than 4; 3.3% had an absolute lymphocyte count lower than 1500x106/L and 68.4% did not show radiological alteration. 5.9% required antimicrobials and 5.3% immunomodulators; 1.3% were admitted to intensive care. Most (95.4%) were discharged from the clinic and 1.3% died.
Conclusions: The female sex predominates, with ageusia or anosmia; those who do not have an epidemiological history are diagnosed with delay. There are no differences in seeking care, for one or both disorders, or for accompanying symptoms. They refer more in the absence of complications and serious pictures. Those who refer them spontaneously are generally healthy and oligosymptomatic people.

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Author Biographies

Sergio César Lorenzo González, Hospital Militar Dr Fermín Valdés Domínguez

Médico asistencial del servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Militar Dr Fermín Valdés Domínguez. Especialista de primer grado en Medicina Interna

Elizabeth Proenza Ramírez, Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Lucía Íñiguez Landín

Médico especialista en Medicina General Integral y médico residente en Oftalmología del Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Lucía Iñiguez Landín

José Adrián Romero García, Hospital Militar Dr Fermín Valdés Domínguez.

Médico especialista de primer grado en Cardiología. Médico especialista de primer grado en Medicina de Aviación y Subacuática. Médico especialista de primer grado en Medicina General Integral.

Yosvanis Leyva Zamora, Hospital Militar Dr Fermín Valdés Domínguez

Médico especialista de primer grado en Medicina Interna. Jefe de servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Militar Dr Fermín Valdés Domínguez.

Alexánder Fernández Zaldívar, Hospital Militar Dr Fermín Valdés Domínguez.

Médico especialista de primer grado en Medicina Interna. Servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Militar Dr Fermín Valdés Domínguez

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Published

2021-11-15

How to Cite

1.
Lorenzo González SC, Proenza Ramírez E, Romero García JA, Leyva Zamora Y, Fernández Zaldívar A. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients with chemosensory disorders. Rev Cubana Med Milit [Internet]. 2021 Nov. 15 [cited 2025 Apr. 8];50(4):e02101526. Available from: https://revmedmilitar.sld.cu/index.php/mil/article/view/1526

Issue

Vol. 50 No. 4 (2021): October - December

Section

Research Article

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