The sense of smell did not return to a quarter of patients with Covid after 2 months

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Nearly a quarter of patients who have lost their sense of smell due to coronavirus have not seen it return two months later, a new study shows

  • The researchers analyzed data from 2,581 patients in 18 European hospitals
  • Discover that 24.1% did not regain their smell and taste within 60 days of infection
  • But the senses returned to 95% of patients within six months of infection

By Joe Pinkstone For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Loss of smell and taste are common symptoms of Covid-19, and new data show that it affects 86% of people with mild cases.

However, only 4.5% of people with moderate cases and 6.9% in severe to critical cases say they have these symptoms.

The study from the University of Paris Saclay also reveals that for a quarter of people (24.1%) their smell and taste fail to return within 60 days of infection.

But the vast majority (95%) of all patients regain their sense of smell six months after infection.

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The study from the University of Paris Saclay reveals that for almost a quarter of people (24.1%) their smell and taste did not return within 60 days of infection

The study from the University of Paris Saclay reveals that for almost a quarter of people (24.1%) their smell and taste did not return within 60 days of infection

The figures vary depending on the symptom reported by the patient or the doctor.

Objective clinical evaluations found an odor loss in 54.7% of mild cases of COVID-19 and 36.6% of moderate to critical cases of COVID-19.

And two months later, almost a quarter of patients still suffered from a lack of odor, also known as anosmia.

The researchers analyzed anonymous data from more than 2,000 people in 18 different European hospitals.

Objective clinical evaluations found an odor loss in 54.7% of mild cases of COVID-19 and 36.6% of moderate to critical cases of COVID-19. Researchers found olfactory dysfunction in more than half of mild virus infections (stock)

Objective clinical evaluations found an odor loss in 54.7% of mild cases of COVID-19 and 36.6% of moderate to critical cases of COVID-19. Researchers found olfactory dysfunction in more than half of mild virus infections (stock)

What is anosmia?

Anosmia is the medical name of a condition in which someone suffers a total or partial loss of sense of smell and / or taste.

The most common single cause of the condition – temporary or permanent – are diseases that affect the nose or sinuses, such as polyps that grow in the airways, fractured bones or cartilage, hay fever or tumors.

It is different from hyposmia, which is a low sensitivity to some or all odors.

About 3.5 million people in the UK are affected by this condition, along with almost 10 million people in the US. It is surprisingly common and affects between three and five percent of people.

Head injuries and diseases of the nervous system, such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, can also contribute to this condition, affecting the nerves in the nose, which are responsible for detecting odors.

Professor Jerome Lechien, lead author of the study at Paris Saclay University, said: “Olfactory dysfunction is more common in mild forms of COVID-19 than in moderate to critical forms and 95% of patients recover their sense of smell at six months. after infection. ‘

The average time of this “olfactory dysfunction” reported by patients was 21.6 days, the researchers found.

Young patients may have a higher rate of anosmia compared to the elderly, scientists said.

Professor Lechien added: “At the two-month follow-up, 75 to 85 percent of patients recovered olfaction according to subjective and objective olfactory assessments.”

The main hypothesis underlying the higher prevalence of mild COVID-19 anosmia would be differences in the immune response to infection in mild to moderate patients.

Future studies are needed to determine the long-term recovery rate of patients with COVID-19.

The study subjects were tested with 16 odor pens and analyzed for 30 and 60 days, then six months after the initial infection.

Mild patients were defined as those without evidence of viral pneumonia or hypoxia – a lack of oxygen – and usually recovered at home, while severe cases involved transport to hospital.

The study was published today in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

Young patients with COVID-19 are more likely to lose their sense of smell and taste than the elderly.

A new study has found that younger people with COVID-19 lose more sense of smell and taste than elderly patients.

The Irish researchers examined 46 infected patients who were asked to evaluate the changes in smell, known as anosmia and taste, known as ageusia.

About half of the participants presented with dysfunction of smell and taste, which is a known symptom of infectious disease.

But while the elderly are generally more vulnerable to other effects of COVID-19, younger patients have been more likely to experience anosmia and ageuzia, they found.

There may be a loss of odor and taste in young patients instead of more significant symptoms, such as cough and fever.

Despite this, people should isolate themselves if they lose their sense of smell or taste, as it is an officially recognized symptom of the disease.

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