Olfactory, gustatory and trigeminal changes in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients: an exploratory prospective cohort study.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to longitudinally assess the prevalence and characteristics of olfactory, gustatory, and trigeminal changes, and the impact of these changes on daily life and quality of life (QoL) in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. MethodsThree weeks after confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, non-hospitalized adult participants enrolled in the COVID HOME study consented to complete a questionnaire by phone on the presence, characteristics, and impact on daily life and QoL of olfactory, gustatory and/or trigeminal changes. Participants reporting taste and/or smell changes completed the same questionnaire at three months and, when still present, at six months. ResultsThe questionnaire was completed by 94/117 participants included in this study three weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis. The 43 participants with smell and/or taste changes completed the questionnaire at three months, and 19 at six months. Of the 94 participants, 56% were female and the median age was 43 [IQR 29-55] years. At three weeks post-infection, olfactory, gustatory, and trigeminal changes were reported by 40 (43%), 37 (39%), and 8 (9%) participants, respectively. During follow-up, olfactory, gustatory, and trigeminal changes were reported by 17 (40%), 14 (33%), and 3 (7%) at three months, and 12 (63%), 9 (47%), and 1 (5%) participants at six months, respectively. Most patients reported an impact of sensory changes on daily life and QoL, mostly describing it as a bit or quite a bit. However, impact did not differ between time points and most participants reported taking no action to cope with these changes. Participants with reported sensory alterations were most interested in professional help at six months. ConclusionsIn non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients, the reported prevalence of olfactory, gustatory and trigeminal changes is higher three weeks after infection. Most patients report modest impact on daily life and QoL due to these sensory changes, and a subgroup reported a profound effect.