TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-reported alteration of sense of smell or taste in patients with COVID-19
T2 - A systematic review and meta-analysis on 3563 patients
AU - Borsetto, Daniele
AU - Hopkins, Claire
AU - Philips, Veronica
AU - Obholzer, Rupert
AU - Tirelli, Giancarlo
AU - Polesel, Jerry
AU - Boscolo-Rizzo, Paolo
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020, International Rhinologic Society. All rights reserved.
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Background: Emerging reports suggest that new onset of smell or taste loss are potential early clinical markers of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but it remains unclear as to what extent. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to systematically assess the prevalence of self-reported altered sense of smell or taste in patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, overcoming the limitations of individual studies by meta-analysis of pooled data. Methods: The databases Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and MedRxiv’s set were searched from inception to the 4th May 2020. This study was conducted following the PRISMA checklist. Results: 18 studies met the eligibility criteria out of the 171 initially screened citations. The overall prevalence of alteration of the sense of smell or taste was 47%, but estimates were 31% and 67% in severe and mild-to-moderate symptomatic patients, respectively. The loss of smell and taste preceded other symptoms in 20% of cases and it was concomitant in 28%. Conclusions: Based on this meta-analysis, we recommend self-isolation and testing, where possible, for patients complaining smell or taste impairment during COVID-19 pandemic in order to prevent spread of disease and propose the inclusion of loss of smell and taste as recognized symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 in the World Health Organization and other relevant regulatory body’s lists.
AB - Background: Emerging reports suggest that new onset of smell or taste loss are potential early clinical markers of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but it remains unclear as to what extent. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to systematically assess the prevalence of self-reported altered sense of smell or taste in patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, overcoming the limitations of individual studies by meta-analysis of pooled data. Methods: The databases Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and MedRxiv’s set were searched from inception to the 4th May 2020. This study was conducted following the PRISMA checklist. Results: 18 studies met the eligibility criteria out of the 171 initially screened citations. The overall prevalence of alteration of the sense of smell or taste was 47%, but estimates were 31% and 67% in severe and mild-to-moderate symptomatic patients, respectively. The loss of smell and taste preceded other symptoms in 20% of cases and it was concomitant in 28%. Conclusions: Based on this meta-analysis, we recommend self-isolation and testing, where possible, for patients complaining smell or taste impairment during COVID-19 pandemic in order to prevent spread of disease and propose the inclusion of loss of smell and taste as recognized symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 in the World Health Organization and other relevant regulatory body’s lists.
KW - Ageusia
KW - Anosmia
KW - Covid-19
KW - SARS-CoV-2
KW - Smell loss
KW - Taste loss
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U2 - 10.4193/Rhin20.185
DO - 10.4193/Rhin20.185
M3 - Review article
C2 - 32626853
AN - SCOPUS:85095862031
VL - 58
SP - 1
EP - 7
JO - Rhinology
JF - Rhinology
SN - 0300-0729
IS - 5
ER -