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Turkish Neurosurgery Aug 2023Taste consists of perception and sensation. Specific neural structures transmit a stimulus from the taste buds to the gustatory cortex to generate taste sensation. Any...
Taste consists of perception and sensation. Specific neural structures transmit a stimulus from the taste buds to the gustatory cortex to generate taste sensation. Any disruption of this pathway, whether it affects sensation or perception, can result in taste disorders. Stereotactic procedures involving the thalamus may result in gustatory complications. A 41-year-old female patient who underwent stereotactic drainage of a thalamic cyst suffered transient ageusia. Subsequently, she developed metallic taste perception. When her stereotactic plan was re-evaluated, it was noted that the posteromedial ventral thalamus nucleus was in the path of the needle tract and the needle had passed through it. Follow-up was recommended and her symptoms completely resolved within 2 months following surgery. Modern imaging techniques allow for the visualization of neural structures related to the sense of taste. Additionally, care must be taken when planning stereotactic procedures for such lesions.
PubMed: 38874247
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.43601-23.3 -
Scientific Reports May 2022We analyzed symptoms and comorbidities as predictors of hospitalization in 710 outpatients in North-East Germany with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. During the...
We analyzed symptoms and comorbidities as predictors of hospitalization in 710 outpatients in North-East Germany with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. During the first 3 days of infection, commonly reported symptoms were fatigue (71.8%), arthralgia/myalgia (56.8%), headache (55.1%), and dry cough (51.8%). Loss of smell (anosmia), loss of taste (ageusia), dyspnea, and productive cough were reported with an onset of 4 days. Anosmia or ageusia were reported by only 18% of the participants at day one, but up to 49% between days 7 and 9. Not all participants who reported ageusia also reported anosmia. Individuals suffering from ageusia without anosmia were at highest risk of hospitalization (OR 6.8, 95% CI 2.5-18.1). They also experienced more commonly dyspnea and nausea (OR of 3.0, 2.9, respectively) suggesting pathophysiological connections between these symptoms. Other symptoms significantly associated with increased risk of hospitalization were dyspnea, vomiting, and fever. Among basic parameters and comorbidities, age > 60 years, COPD, prior stroke, diabetes, kidney and cardiac diseases were also associated with increased risk of hospitalization. In conclusion, due to the delayed onset, ageusia and anosmia may be of limited use in differential diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. However, differentiation between ageusia and anosmia may be useful for evaluating risk for hospitalization.
Topics: Ageusia; Anosmia; COVID-19; Cough; Dyspnea; Hospitalization; Humans; Middle Aged; Outpatients; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35508524
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11103-0 -
Pediatric Pulmonology Oct 2023Asthma is a common pediatric disease. Identification of exacerbating factors is important to gain better asthma control. One potential exacerbation trigger is...
INTRODUCTION:
Asthma is a common pediatric disease. Identification of exacerbating factors is important to gain better asthma control. One potential exacerbation trigger is NSAID-hypersensitivity (NSAID-H). Studies regarding pediatric NSAID-H have varied demographics, methodologies, and conclusions. However, most studies find NSAID-H more prevalent in asthmatic patients.
METHODS:
The objective was to determine the prevalence, symptoms, and factors associated with NSAID-H in a pediatric severe asthma population. One hundred children aged 6 to 18 years old from the Severe Asthma Clinic at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN, between 11/2020 and 5/2022 completed a survey about asthma triggers, allergies, co-morbid diagnoses, sinus symptoms, and NSAID reaction history.
RESULTS:
Nineteen percent of participants reported a reaction to at least one NSAID. Ibuprofen (16%), aspirin (9%), and acetaminophen (9%) were the most implicated NSAIDs. Most common symptoms were dyspnea, wheezing, coughing, lightheadedness, and abdominal pain appearing within 30 minutes. Associated factors included history of a medication other than an NSAID triggering asthma (p = 0.02), nasal polyps (p = 0.01), ageusia (p = 0.01), cold-induced asthma (p = 0.02), and chronic sinusitis in immediate family member (p = 0.04).
CONCLUSIONS:
Prevalence of NSAID-H in a large children’s hospital pediatric severe asthma clinic was 19%. The most common drug was ibuprofen and the most common symptoms were respiratory and gastrointestinal. Associated factors included medication and cold triggered asthma, nasal polyps, ageusia, and family history of chronic sinusitis. This highlights the importance of a thorough history in severe asthma patients who may be at higher risk for NSAID-H. Future studies should focus on looking at the rate of NSAID-H in a larger severe asthma population and if social determinants of health play a role in the increased incidence of reacting.
Topics: Child; Humans; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Hypersensitivity; Asthma; Drug Hypersensitivity
PubMed: 37503899
DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26618 -
BMC Geriatrics May 2021Smell, taste and trigeminal disorders likely have a substantial impact on human daily life. However, data regarding the prevalence of these disorders in Norway are...
BACKGROUND
Smell, taste and trigeminal disorders likely have a substantial impact on human daily life. However, data regarding the prevalence of these disorders in Norway are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of smell, taste, trigeminal disorders and associated factors in a 65-year-old population in Oslo, Norway.
METHODS
A random sample of 223 individuals (123 men, 100 women) participated in the study. Medical history was obtained, and unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) and stimulated whole saliva (SWS) were collected to determine salivary secretion rates. Sniffin`n Sticks and Taste Strips (Burghart Messtechnik GmbH, Wedel, Germany) were used for quantitative testing of olfactory and gustatory function. In addition, the participants' self-reported perceptions of smell and taste, and burning mouth sensation were investigated.
RESULTS
The results showed that 34 % of the participants had reduced smell (28 % hyposmia and 6 % anosmia) and 28 % had reduced taste perception (21 % hypogeusia and 7 % ageusia). 13 % of the partcipants had a combination of smell and taste disorders. Dysgeusia was reported by 5 % and burning mouth sensation (syndrome) by 3 % of the participants. Hyposmia, hypogeusia and ageusia were significantly more prevalent among men. Significant associations were found between taste disorders and previous history of cerebral hemorrhage and heart attack, and between burning mouth sensation and gastrointestinal disorders. Disturbances in olfactory, gustatory and trigeminal function were significantly related to medication use. Ageusia and burning mouth sensation were significantly more prevalent among smokers. Except from higher prevalence of ageusia among participants with hyposalivation with respect to SWS, no significant associations were found between salivary secretion rate and chemosensory or trigeminal disorders in the present study.
CONCLUSIONS
The present study revealed that one-third of 65-year-old individuals had impaired smell and more than one-fourth had impaired taste function. The prevalence of dysgeusia and burning mouth sensation was very low. Reduced smell and taste perception were more common among men than women. Furthermore, some diseases and medications were associated with chemosensory and trigeminal disorders. Ageusia was associated with SWS hyposalivation.
Topics: Aged; Female; Germany; Humans; Male; Norway; Olfaction Disorders; Smell; Taste
PubMed: 33964881
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02242-6 -
Acta Neuropsychiatrica Dec 2022Long haulers have been recently reported after contracting coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In the present study, we aimed to screen for the neuropsychiatric signs...
BACKGROUND
Long haulers have been recently reported after contracting coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In the present study, we aimed to screen for the neuropsychiatric signs detected <1 to >6 months after infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to determine whether vaccination has an effect on them.
METHODS
An online survey was conducted among participants who had been diagnosed with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The clinical signs and durations of neuropsychiatric complaints and their correlations to sex, age, severity of COVID-19 signs, and vaccination status were screened.
RESULTS
A total of 2218 individuals, including 1358 females and 860 males, with an age range of 12-70 years, submitted their responses. The respondents experienced cognitive dysfunction, mood alteration, depression, tinnitus, sleep disorders, and loss of taste and smell, with prevalence rates ranging from 18.9% (tinnitus) to 63.9% (loss of taste and smell). Of the respondents, 2.2-7.7% confirmed the persistence of symptoms for >6 months. Tinnitus was the least common complaint, and only 2.2% of the study participants had tinnitus for >6 months. Meanwhile, mood alteration persisted for >6 months in 7.6% of the study participants. More respondents who received two doses of BNT162b2 vaccine showed persistent symptoms than those in the other groups. Disease severity and female sex were identified as potential determinants of the development and persistency of such symptoms.
CONCLUSION
Post-COVID neuropsychiatric symptoms were present in considerable percentages of the study participants with SARS-CoV-2 infection, persisting for >6 months in up to 7.6% of the participants.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Child; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Ageusia; Tinnitus; BNT162 Vaccine
PubMed: 35543105
DOI: 10.1017/neu.2022.13 -
Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and... Oct 2022This study is done to raise awareness of olfactory and taste dysfunction association in coronavirus disease, urging early detection and isolation of coronavirus positive...
This study is done to raise awareness of olfactory and taste dysfunction association in coronavirus disease, urging early detection and isolation of coronavirus positive patients thus breaking the chain of transmission of disease. This is a retrospective observational study done in outpatient department of tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, west India from 1st May 2020 to 1st August 2020 on patients who were confirmed positive for COVID-19 by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) and having olfactory dysfunction and/or taste disorders. In study population, anosmia and ageusia occurred in 88% and 83.33% respectively. In control population, anosmia and ageusia occurred in 93% and 85.71% respectively. The mean duration of anosmia was around 2 weeks and 3 weeks for study and control group respectively. In study population 94.6% recovered from anosmia, whereas in control population 64.3% recovered from anosmia. Anosmia gradually improved to hyposmia. In the study population 94.3% hyposmia patients showed recovery, while in control population 85.2% showed recovery. Ageusia collaborated with the duration of anosmia. Recovery from taste dysfunction was 88.6% and 63.9% in study and control population respectively. Olfactory and taste dysfunction are very important clinical features of coronavirus positive patients with anosmia being the most prominent symptom. All patients presenting with smell and or taste dysfunction should be screened for coronavirus disease, helping in early detection in asymptomatic patients.
PubMed: 34631493
DOI: 10.1007/s12070-021-02871-8 -
Comprehensive Psychiatry Jul 2020Anosmia and hypogeusia, the inability or decreased ability to smell and taste, have been reported as common complaints in SARS-CoV-2 patients who were still in an... (Review)
Review
Anosmia and hypogeusia, the inability or decreased ability to smell and taste, have been reported as common complaints in SARS-CoV-2 patients who were still in an asymptomatic phase. These impairments affect the ability to sense odors in foods and the environment, obviously affecting quality of life, related to social interactions and general well-being. The British Association of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT-UK) considers loss of sense of smell in their list of COVID-19's markers of infection. Here we present two cases in which early manifestations of anosmia and hypogeusia were experienced with psycho-sensorial and atmospheric phenomena. Psychiatrists, neurologists and physicians in general should be aware of this symptom presentation in order to avoid mistreatment, given that persistent olfactory dysfunction might increase the risks of nutritional deficit and lead to development of adjustment disorders. All clinicians should be aware that the presentation of SARS-CoV-2's symptoms goes far beyond respiratory and sensorial dimensions and involves psychosensorial and neurological dimensions; these clinical observations could shed light on the neurobiological substrates involved in COVID-19 disease.
Topics: Ageusia; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Coronavirus Infections; Female; Humans; Male; Neurobiology; Olfaction Disorders; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Quality of Life; SARS-CoV-2; Smell; Taste Disorders
PubMed: 32422426
DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152184 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2023We explored two different graph methods for visualizing the prevalence of self-reported post-COVID anosmia and ageusia in a large sample of individuals who had been...
We explored two different graph methods for visualizing the prevalence of self-reported post-COVID anosmia and ageusia in a large sample of individuals who had been previously hospitalized in five different hospitals. A cohort of 1266 previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors participated. Participants were assessed at hospitalization (T0) and at three different follow-up periods: 8.4 (T1), 13.2 (T2), and 18.3 (T3) months after hospital discharge. They were asked about the presence of self-reported anosmia and ageusia that they attributed to infection. Anosmia was defined as a self-perceived feeling of complete loss of smell. Ageusia was defined as a self-perceived feeling of complete loss of taste. Data about hospitalization were recorded from medical records. The results revealed that the prevalence of anosmia decreased from 8.29% ( = 105) at hospitalization (T0), to 4.47% ( = 56) at T1, to 3.27% ( = 41) at T2, and 3.35% ( = 42) at T3. Similarly, the prevalence of ageusia was 7.10% ( = 89) at the onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection (T0), but decreased to 3.03% ( = 38) at T1, to 1.99% ( = 25) at T2, and 1.36% ( = 17) at T3. The Sankey plots showed that only 10 (0.8%) and 11 (0.88%) patients exhibited anosmia and ageusia throughout all the follow-ups. The exponential curves revealed a progressive decrease in prevalence, demonstrating that self-reported anosmia and ageusia improved in the years following hospitalization. The female sex (OR4.254, 95% CI 1.184-15.294) and sufferers of asthma (OR7.086, 95% CI 1.359-36.936) were factors associated with the development of anosmia at T2, whereas internal care unit admission was a protective factor (OR0.891, 95% CI 0.819-0.970) for developing anosmia at T2. The use of a graphical method, such as a Sankey plot, shows that post-COVID self-reported anosmia and ageusia exhibit fluctuations during the first years after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, self-reported anosmia and ageusia also show a decrease in prevalence during the first years after infection, as expressed by exponential bar plots. The female sex was associated with the development of post-COVID anosmia, but not ageusia, in our cohort of elderly patients previously hospitalized due to COVID-19.
PubMed: 37445426
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12134391 -
European Archives of... May 2021The aim of our study is to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of otolaryngology symptoms in COVID 19 patients.
PURPOSE
The aim of our study is to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of otolaryngology symptoms in COVID 19 patients.
METHODS
116 patients with positive PCR test results for COVID-19 and followed up by otolaryngologists at a tertiary referral center/COVID-19 pandemic hospital were questioned in terms of otolaryngology symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection. Data including demographics, disease severity, concomitant diseases, previous otolaryngologic diseases,incidence and duration of new onset symptoms were collected and categorically analyzed. In addition, the severity of loss of smell and taste was evaluated by visual analogue score (VAS).
RESULTS
A total of 58 men and 58 women participated. The mean age of the patients was 57.24 ± 14.32 (19-83). The most common otolaryngological findings were hyposmia/anosmia (37.9%) and hypogeusia/ageusia (41.37%), respectively. These complaints were followed by headache (37.1%), and nausea/vomiting (31%). The most common oropharyngeal symptoms were sore throat (32.7%) and dysphagia (20.6%). The rate of otological/vestibular symptoms was dizziness (31.8%), tinnitus (11%), true vertigo (6%), and hearing impairment (5.1%), respectively. The most of symptoms were more frequent in > 60 years and women. There was a significant correlation between nasal itching and smell disturbance in patients with allergic rhinitis. Considering the duration of symptoms, the longest were hyposmia/anosmia and hypogeusia/ageusia. The mean VAS's in patients with hyposmia/anosmia and hypogeusia/ageusia were 5.52 ± 2.08 and 5.79 ± 2.21, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The most common otolaryngologic symptoms of COVID-19 infection are known as sore throat, smell and/or taste disturbances. However, our study showed that these patients can be seen with different symptoms in otological or laryngeal areas. Therefore, a more careful evaluation should be made in terms of otolaryngologic symptoms when COVID 19 infection is suspected.
Topics: Ageusia; COVID-19; Female; Humans; Male; Olfaction Disorders; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Smell
PubMed: 33011957
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-06396-8 -
The Journal of Headache and Pain Oct 2020Headache is the most common COVID-19-related neurological symptom. We aimed to reveal diagnostic clues of headache for COVID-19 infection and to investigate the course...
BACKGROUND
Headache is the most common COVID-19-related neurological symptom. We aimed to reveal diagnostic clues of headache for COVID-19 infection and to investigate the course of primary headaches during the pandemic.
METHODS
We developed a detailed web-based questionnaire screening the characteristics and course of headaches besides clinical COVID-19 features. The participants were grouped according to being diagnosed with COVID-19 infection or not, and having previous or new-onset headaches. The COVID-19 related headache features and their associations with other clinical features were investigated. A binary logistic regression model was performed to differentiate the characteristics of headache related to COVID-19.
FINDINGS
A total of 3458 participants (2341 females;67.7%, 1495 healthcare workers;43.2%) with a mean age of 43.21 ± 11.2 years contributed to the survey. Among them, 262 participants had COVID-19 diagnosis and 126 (48.1%) were male. The rate of males in the group without COVID-19 was 31% (991 out of 3196 participants) showing significant gender difference between groups (p < 0.000). COVID-19 related headaches were more closely associated with anosmia/ageusia and gastrointestinal complaints (p < 0.000 and p < 0.000), and showed different characteristics like pulsating, pressing, and even stabbing quality. Logistic regression analyses showed that bilateral headache, duration over 72 h, analgesic resistance and having male gender were significant variables to differentiate COVID-19 positive patients from those without COVID-19 (p = 0.04 for long duration and p < 0.000 for others). A worsening of previous primary headaches due to the pandemic-related problems was not reported in the majority of patients.
INTERPRETATION
Bilateral, long-lasting headaches, resistance to analgesics and having male gender were more frequent in people with COVID-19 in conjunction with anosmia/ageusia and gastrointestinal complaints. These features may be helpful for diagnosing the headache related to COVID-19 during the pandemic.
Topics: Adult; Ageusia; Analgesics; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Diarrhea; Female; Headache; Health Personnel; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Olfaction Disorders; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Sex Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33050880
DOI: 10.1186/s10194-020-01188-1