Assessing Smell Alteration as Clinical Feature of COVID-19: A Descriptive Study in a Rural Based Tertiary Care COVID Hospital

Introduction 
COVID-19 is an ongoing viral pandemic and a very contagious disease. Other than common symptoms like fever, cough and malaise; alteration in smell and taste perception may be the presenting symptoms in a significant number of patients infected with COVID-19.
Materials and Methods 
Presence of smell alteration assessed among 150 mild to moderate COVID-19 positive patients admitted at our COVID hospital as well as 150 COVID-19 negative patients in May-June, 2021. Use and throw smell cards were used to detect smell alteration for all. Symptom onset and its resolution were noted. Smell alteration was also evaluated in different age group and gender.
Results 
81 (54%) patients among 150 COVID positive cases had smell alteration compared to 9 (6%) patients among non-COVID arm (p value <0.0001). Overall smell alteration was more prevalent among male COVID patients. Hyposmia is more prevalent among younger age group compared to anosmia, which is more among older side. Olfactory dysfunction is seen to be developed at presentation or within 5 days from starting of infection with other symptoms. More than 90% patients regained smell perception within two months post infection.
Conclusion 
54% COVID positive patients reported smell loss either at presentation or within 5 days of infection. Using smell cards for smell assessment and being cautious about smell alteration as early symptom helps us to diagnose COVID-19 early.