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Human Factors Aug 2023We review the effects of COVID-19 on the human sense of smell (olfaction) and discuss implications for human-system interactions. We emphasize how critical smell is and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
We review the effects of COVID-19 on the human sense of smell (olfaction) and discuss implications for human-system interactions. We emphasize how critical smell is and how the widespread loss of smell due to COVID-19 will impact human-system interaction.
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 reduces the sense of smell in people who contract the disease. Thus far, olfaction has received relatively little attention from human factors/ergonomics professionals. While smell is not a primary means of human-system communication, humans rely on smell in many important ways related to both quality of life and safety.
METHOD
We briefly review and synthesize the rapidly expanding literature through September 2020 on the topic of smell loss caused by COVID-19. We interpret findings in terms of their relevance to human factors/ergonomics researchers and practitioners.
RESULTS
Since March 2020 dozens of articles have been published that report smell loss in COVID-19 patients. The prevalence and duration of COVID-19-related smell loss is still under investigation, but the available data suggest that it may leave many people with long-term deficits and distortions in sense of smell.
CONCLUSION
We suggest that the human factors/ergonomics community could become more aware of the importance of the sense of smell and focus on accommodating the increasing number of people with reduced olfactory performance.
APPLICATION
We present examples of how olfaction can augment human-system communication and how human factors/ergonomics professionals might accommodate people with olfactory dysfunction. While seemingly at odds, both of these goals can be achieved.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Smell; Anosmia; Olfaction Disorders; SARS-CoV-2; Quality of Life
PubMed: 33517793
DOI: 10.1177/0018720821990162 -
Acta Bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis Dec 2023Background and aim It has been shown that olfactory dysfunction is one of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)common and puzzling symptoms that may persist weeks after...
UNLABELLED
Background and aim It has been shown that olfactory dysfunction is one of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)common and puzzling symptoms that may persist weeks after the infection. This study aimed for the objective assessment of persisting olfactory dysfunction in post-COVID-19 patients. It also investigated the factors associated with the development of such symptoms in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study that was conducted in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Khobar, Saudi Arabia. One hundred and forty-seven participants were included in this study, and sixty of them agreed to participate in the objective testing using the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfaction test.
RESULTS
There was a significant correlation between the following factors: (1) Persistence of anosmia/hyposmia and the time of onset of anosmia/hyposmia (P=0.015). (2) Persistence of anosmia/hyposmia and the duration of anosmia/hyposmia (P=0.012). (3) Duration of anosmia/hyposmia and the duration of COVID-19 symptoms (P=0.010). Interestingly, there was a significant association between the subjective participants' claim of anosmia/hyposmia and the score of their objective assessment (P=0.026).
CONCLUSION
The current study demonstrated that post-COVID-19 participants with delayed onset of anosmia/hyposmia and/or longer duration of either anosmia/hyposmia or COVID-19 symptoms were prone to have persistent olfactory dysfunction. Further studies are necessary to uncover the underlying pathophysiology and management of this olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Anosmia; Cross-Sectional Studies; SARS-CoV-2; Saudi Arabia; Olfaction Disorders
PubMed: 38054673
DOI: 10.23750/abm.v94i6.15130 -
BMC Oral Health Sep 2023Early studies have highlighted the possible development of dysgeusia and anosmia in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and these...
BACKGROUND
Early studies have highlighted the possible development of dysgeusia and anosmia in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and these manifestations should be considered a potential indication of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). As potential contributors to these symptoms, dentists should perform careful oral and oropharyngeal examinations and document suspicious oral lesions in patients with COVID-19, especially in those who complain of loss of taste and smell. The study's objective was to assess the prevalence of oral manifestations among ambulatory unvaccinated symptomatic patients with suspected COVID-19 during the acute phase of the disease.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study evaluated oral manifestations in adults (aged ≥ 18 years) with suspected and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare data between the groups (rRT-PCR-positive and rRT-PCR-negative patients).
RESULTS
One hundred thirty-six participants were included. Most were female (n = 79; 58.1%), with a mean age of 39.53 (± 14.17) years. Of these, 54 (39.7%) had a positive rRT-PCR test, and 82 (60.3%) had negative rRT-PCR results. Oral manifestations were observed in 40 participants (74.1%) in the rRT-PCR-positive group and 67 participants (81.7%) in the rRT-PCR-negative group. The most common oral manifestations were xerostomia (n = 85; 62.5%) and dysgeusia/ageusia (n = 57; 41.9%). Different rates of gingivitis (n = 12; 22.2% vs. n = 5; 6.1%; p = 0.005) and halitosis (n = 7; 13.0% vs. n = 1; 1.2%; p = 0.007) were observed between the rRT-PCR-positive and -negative groups, respectively. Mouth ulcers, glossitis, tongue coating, and petechiae were reported in both groups without significant differences.
CONCLUSIONS
A high prevalence of oral manifestations was observed in symptomatic patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
This study highlights the importance of routine oral examinations by dentists as part of the multidisciplinary care of COVID-19 patients.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Male; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dysgeusia; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 37759210
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03325-z -
BMJ Open Jun 2024General practitioners (GPs) were on the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak. Identifying clinical profiles in COVID-19 might improve patient care and enable closer...
BACKGROUND
General practitioners (GPs) were on the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak. Identifying clinical profiles in COVID-19 might improve patient care and enable closer monitoring of at-risk profiles.
OBJECTIVES
To identify COVID-19 profiles in a population of adult primary care patients, and to determine whether the profiles were associated with negative outcomes and persistent symptoms.
DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
In a prospective multicentre study, 44 GPs from multiprofessional primary care practices in the Paris area of France recruited 340 consecutive adult patients (median age: 47 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 during the first two waves of the epidemic.
METHOD AND OUTCOME
A latent class (LC) analysis with 11 indicators (clinical signs and symptoms) was performed. The resulting profiles were characterised by a 3-month composite outcome (COVID-19-related hospital admission and/or death) and persistent symptoms three and 6 months after inclusion.
RESULTS
We identified six profiles: 'paucisymptomatic' (LC1, 9%), 'anosmia and/or ageusia' (LC2, 12.9%), 'influenza-like syndrome with anosmia and ageusia' (LC3, 15.5%), 'influenza-like syndrome without anosmia or ageusia' (LC4, 24.5%), 'influenza-like syndrome with respiratory impairment' (LC5) and a 'complete form' (LC6, 17.7%). At 3 months, 7.4% of the patients were hospitalised (with higher rates in LC5), and 18% had persistent symptoms (with higher rates in LC5 and LC6). At 6 months, 6.4% of the patients had persistent symptoms, with no differences between LCs.
CONCLUSION
Our findings might help GPs to identify patients at risk of persistent COVID-19 symptoms and hospital admission and then set up procedures for closer monitoring.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Middle Aged; Male; Female; Prospective Studies; Adult; General Practice; SARS-CoV-2; Latent Class Analysis; Aged; France; Hospitalization; Primary Health Care; Paris; Anosmia; Ageusia
PubMed: 38844390
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080393 -
Arquivos de Neuro-psiquiatria Aug 2023Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although respiratory manifestations have... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although respiratory manifestations have received greater visibility during the pandemic caused by this virus, numerous neurological complaints related to coronavirus 2 infection have been documented in several countries. These records suggest that this pathogen presents neurotropism, and it can cause different neurological conditions of varying intensity.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the ability of coronavirus 2 to invade the central nervous system (CNS) and its neurological clinical outcomes.
METHODS
The present study consists in a comprehensive literature review of the records available in the PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases. The descriptors , and , associated with the Boolean operator , were used in the search. Regarding the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected the papers published since 2020 with the highest number of citations.
RESULTS
We selected 41 articles, most of them in English. The main clinical manifestation associated with COVID-19 patients was headache, but cases of anosmia, hyposmia, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and encephalopathies were also described with considerable frequency.
CONCLUSION
Coronavirus-2 presents neurotropism, and it can reach the CNS by hematogenous dissemination and by direct infection of the nerve endings. It causes brain injuries through several mechanisms, such as cytokine storm, microglial activation, and an increase in thrombotic factors.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Nervous System Diseases; Central Nervous System; Brain
PubMed: 37402400
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1769123 -
Cureus Feb 2024Background SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19) causes olfactory dysfunction which is characterized by anosmia or hyposmia. Characterization of olfactory dysfunction has added...
Background SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19) causes olfactory dysfunction which is characterized by anosmia or hyposmia. Characterization of olfactory dysfunction has added value to the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. Nevertheless, scarce information exists about COVID-19 patients suffering from olfactory dysfunction in Iraq. This study aimed to identify olfactory dysfunction (anosmia or hyposmia) in Iraqi COVID-19 patients and examine their response to smell exercise at Baghdad Medical City Complex, Baghdad, Iraq. Methodology This case series prospective study involving 300 patients (160 males and 140 females) with COVID-19 infection was conducted from June 1, 2020, to October 1, 2021. We recorded signs and symptoms of COVID-19 among patients by examining olfactory dysfunction, n-butanol olfaction test, and smell test exercise. Results Anosmia and hyposmia were found in 69.3% and 30.7% of the patients, respectively; of these, 65.7% were of sudden onset. The association between olfactory dysfunction and smoking was not significant. The most frequent signs and symptoms of COVID-19 were fatigue, fever, loss of taste, myalgia, headache, sore throat, cough, depressed appetite, dyspnea, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The highest frequencies of occurrence of anosmia (30.7%) and hyposmia (13.3%) were in the age group of 31-40 years. The majority (47.7%) of patients with olfactory dysfunction recovered within one month of COVID-19 onset. The rest of the patients recovered within one month to 16 months. The most commonly encountered ear, nose, and throat symptoms were nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and facial/ear pain. The percentages of patients with anosmia and hyposmia recovering with smell exercise were significant at 64.7% and 25.3%, respectively. Conclusions The prognosis of olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients was good as most cases recovered within a short period with concomitant smell exercise. Olfactory dysfunction in the majority of COVID-19 patients was self-limiting in young age groups, albeit in association with the non-severity of the disease. Being an important public health issue, examining olfactory dysfunction aspects should be considered in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment protocols of COVID-19 patients. In-depth exploration is needed to examine olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in patients suffering from severe COVID-19.
PubMed: 38455837
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53721 -
Biomedicines Aug 2023Post-Covid Olfactory Dysfunction (PCOD) is characterized by olfactory abnormalities, hyposmia, and anosmia, which are among the most often enduring symptoms in... (Review)
Review
Post-Covid Olfactory Dysfunction (PCOD) is characterized by olfactory abnormalities, hyposmia, and anosmia, which are among the most often enduring symptoms in individuals who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. This disorder has been reported to persist in subsets of patients well after 12 months following infection, significantly affecting their quality of life. Despite the high prevalence of PCOD among patients who suffered from SARS-CoV-2 infection, specific therapeutic strategies are still limited. Among these, emerging evidence seems to indicate the administration of CoUltraPEALut, a combination of micronized Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an endogenous fatty acid amide, and Luteolin, a natural antioxidant flavonoid, as a viable therapy, especially when given as an adjuvant to olfactory training. Based on the above, a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature were conducted, with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of CoUltraPEALut as an addition to olfactory training (OT), in treating PCOD symptoms. Pubmed (MEDLINE), Embase (OVID), and Web of Science scientific databases were screened from the inception until 31 May 2023, and a total of 407 articles were recovered; only five of these studies (441 total patients between treated and control groups) were included in the systematic review. CoUltraPEALut demonstrated significant efficacy in the overall recovery of the olfactory function, compared to the conventional therapy, suggesting that it could represent a possible future adjuvant treatment for PCOD.
PubMed: 37626685
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082189 -
PloS One 2023The life quality of about two-thirds of patients with COVID-19 is affected by related olfactory dysfunctions. The negative impact of olfactory dysfunction ranged from...
Effect of any form of steroids in comparison with that of other medications on the duration of olfactory dysfunction in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review of randomized trials and quasi-experimental studies.
BACKGROUND
The life quality of about two-thirds of patients with COVID-19 is affected by related olfactory dysfunctions. The negative impact of olfactory dysfunction ranged from the decreased pleasure of eating to impaired quality of life. This research aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects of corticosteroid treatments by comparing that to other currently available treatments and interventions.
METHODS
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist's 27-point checklist was used to conduct this review. PubMed (Public/Publisher MEDLINE), PubMed Central and EMBASE (Excerpta Medica Database) databases were conveniently selected and Boolean search commands were used for a comprehensive literature search. Five core search terms were "effects of treatments", " COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction", "corticosteroids", "treatments" and "interventions". The reporting qualities of the included studies were appraised using JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute) appraisal tools. The characteristics of the 21 experimental studies with a total sample (of 130,550) were aggregated using frequencies and percentages and presented descriptively. The main interventions and their effects on the duration of the COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction were narratively analyzed.
RESULTS
Among patients with COVID-19, the normal functions of the olfactory lobe were about 23 days earlier to gain with the treatments of fluticasone and triamcinolone acetonide nasal spray compared with that of mometasone furoate nasal spray and oral corticosteroid. The smell loss duration was reduced by fluticasone and triamcinolone acetonide nasal spray 9 days earlier than the inflawell syrup and 16 days earlier than the lavender syrup. The nasal spray of corticosteroids ended the COVID-19-related smell loss symptoms 2 days earlier than the zinc supplementation, about 47 days earlier than carbamazepine treatment and was more effective than palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and luteolin and omega-3 supplementations and olfactory training. Treatment with oral corticosteroid plus olfactory training significantly improved Threshold, Discrimination and Identification (TDI) scores compared with olfactory training alone. A full dose of the COVID-19 vaccination was not uncertain to reduce the COVID-19-related smell loss duration.
CONCLUSION
Corticosteroid treatment is effective in reducing the duration of COVID-19-related smell loss and olfactory training, the basic, essential and effective intervention, should be used as a combination therapy.
Topics: Humans; Nasal Sprays; Anosmia; Quality of Life; Triamcinolone Acetonide; COVID-19; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Steroids; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Fluticasone
PubMed: 37531338
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288285 -
Nutrients Aug 2023Long COVID is a recognized post-viral syndrome characterized by neurological, somatic and neuropsychiatric symptoms that might last for long time after SARS-CoV-2...
What Is the Role of Palmitoylethanolamide Co-Ultramicronized with Luteolin on the Symptomatology Reported by Patients Suffering from Long COVID? A Retrospective Analysis Performed by a Group of General Practitioners in a Real-Life Setting.
Long COVID is a recognized post-viral syndrome characterized by neurological, somatic and neuropsychiatric symptoms that might last for long time after SARS-CoV-2 infection. An ever-growing number of patients come to the observation of General Practitioners complaining of mild or moderate symptoms after the resolution of the acute infection. Nine General Practitioners from the Rome area (Italy) performed a retrospective analysis in order to evaluate the role of the supplementation with Palmitoylethanolamide co-ultramicronized with Luteolin (PEALUT) on neurologic and clinical symptoms reported by their patients after COVID-19 resolution. Supplementation with PEALUT helped to improve all patient-reported symptoms, especially pain, anxiety and depression, fatigue, brain fog, anosmia and dysgeusia, leading to an overall improvement in patients' health status. To our knowledge these are the first data presented on Long COVID patients collected in a territorial setting. Despite their preliminary nature, these results highlight the pathogenetic role of "non-resolving" neuroinflammation in Long COVID development and consequently the importance of its control in the resolution of the pathology and put the focus on the General Practitioner as the primary figure for early detection and management of Long COVID syndrome in a real-life setting. Future randomized, controlled, perspective clinical trials are needed to confirm this preliminary observation.
Topics: Humans; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Luteolin; COVID-19; General Practitioners; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 37686733
DOI: 10.3390/nu15173701 -
Health Science Reports Jul 2023Due to the recent emergence of COVID-19, the exact pathology of this disease has not been determined. Therefore, this study evaluated the frequency of neurological...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Due to the recent emergence of COVID-19, the exact pathology of this disease has not been determined. Therefore, this study evaluated the frequency of neurological symptoms in patients with COVID-19.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 2200 in patients with COVID-19 who were selected from an educational hospital in Sanandaj, Iran, from April 2020 to March 2021. The research samples were selected by census, all patients with COVID-19 were admitted to the hospital. The data collection tool was a checklist of the studied variables (dizziness, headache, and impaired consciousness) prepared by the researchers based on the specialists' opinions. The researcher completed these checklists based on the patients' hospitalization records. The data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistical tests using SPSS Software Version 20. The quantitative variables were compared using the independent -test. The test was also used to compare qualitative variables. A Value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 57.41 years old, of whom 53.1% were male. The average blood oxygen level of the patients was 88.10%, and most disease symptoms were related to shortness of breath and cough, with a frequency of 24.3%. In addition, 20.8% of patients needed hospitalization in intensive care unit. The highest frequency of central and peripheral nervous system manifestations was related to headache, ageusia (loss of sense of taste), hyposmia (A decreased sense of smell and anosmia (The complete loss of smell). Finally, 15.3% of patients died, and 84.7% recovered. The analytical findings showed a significant relationship between the disease outcome and patients' dizziness, consciousness disorder, seizure and ageusia. There was a significant relationship between gender and headache in patients. There was a significant difference between the mean age and oxygen level with central and peripheral nervous system manifestations (dizziness, headache, impaired consciousness, smell disorder) and the disease outcome in patients.
CONCLUSION
The pathophysiology of COVID-19 virus infection involving the central nervous system is not fully understood. Neurological symptoms of this virus include delirium, headache, decreased level of consciousness, and seizures. Identifying the symptoms and mechanisms of neurological complications of COVID-19 is necessary for proper screening and complete treatment because a patient infected by COVID-19 may not show respiratory failure signs but may be a carrier. A complete and accurate knowledge of the symptoms and complications of this infection for proper screening of patients to prevent transmission and spread of this disease is critically needed.
PubMed: 37492273
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1400