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International Forum of Allergy &... Jun 2023The current study evaluated the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an autologous blood product with supraphysiologic concentrations of growth factors, in the treatment... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
INTRODUCTION
The current study evaluated the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an autologous blood product with supraphysiologic concentrations of growth factors, in the treatment of prolonged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related smell loss.
METHODS
This multi-institutional, randomized controlled trial recruited patients with COVID-19 who had objectively measured smell loss (University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test [UPSIT] ≤ 33) between 6 and 12 months. Patients were randomized to three intranasal injections of either PRP or sterile saline into their olfactory clefts. The primary outcome measure was change in Sniffin' Sticks score (threshold, discrimination, and identification [TDI]) from baseline. The secondary end point measures included responder rate (achievement of a clinically significant improvement, ≥5.5 points TDI), change in individual TDI olfaction scores, and change in subjective olfaction via a visual analog scale.
RESULTS
A total of 35 patients were recruited and 26 completed the study. PRP treatment resulted in a 3.67-point (95% CI: 0.05-7.29, p = 0.047) greater improvement in olfaction compared with the placebo group at 3 months and a higher response rate (57.1% vs 8.3%, odds ratio 12.5 [95% exact bootstrap confidence interval, 2.2-116.7]). There was a greater improvement in smell discrimination following PRP treatment compared with placebo but no difference in smell identification or threshold. There was no difference in subjective scores between PRP and placebo. No adverse effects were reported.
CONCLUSION
Olfactory function following COVID-19 can improve spontaneously after 6 months and can improve to a greater extent with PRP injection. These data build on the promise of PRP to be a safe potential treatment option for patients with COVID-19-related smell loss, and larger-powered studies will help further assess its efficacy.
Topics: Humans; Anosmia; Olfaction Disorders; COVID-19; Smell; Platelet-Rich Plasma
PubMed: 36507615
DOI: 10.1002/alr.23116 -
International Journal of Clinical... Dec 2021Anosmia and dysgeusia (AD) are common amongst COVID-19 patients. These symptoms are not frequently associated with rhinorrhea or nasal congestion and the underlying...
PURPOSE
Anosmia and dysgeusia (AD) are common amongst COVID-19 patients. These symptoms are not frequently associated with rhinorrhea or nasal congestion and the underlying mechanism is unclear. Previous reports suggested that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) signalling plays a role in the modulation of olfaction and ageusia. We aimed to assess the correlation between GLP-1 and COVID-19-associated AD.
METHODS
Blood samples obtained from COVID-19 patients with and without AD were tested for serum GLP-1 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A second control group comprised of COVID-19-negative volunteers.
RESULTS
Forty-nine subjects were included in the study. Nineteen were positive for COVID-19. Of the 19 patients, 10 had AD and 9 declined such complaints. Age and basic metabolic rate were similar amongst all study groups. Serum GLP-1 levels were significantly lower amongst patients with AD compared with patients without AD and COVID-19-negative individuals (1820 pg/mL vs 3536 pg/mL vs 3014 pg/mL, respectively, P < .02).
CONCLUSION
COVID-19 patients who reported AD had lower serum levels of GLP-1 compared with those lacking AD symptoms and COVID-19-negative individuals. These results suggest that GLP-1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. However, further larger scale studies should corroborate our findings.
Topics: Anosmia; COVID-19; Dysgeusia; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Olfaction Disorders; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34714940
DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14996 -
The Journal of Infection Nov 2021
Topics: Anosmia; COVID-19; Humans; Influenza, Human; Olfaction Disorders; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34418412
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.08.024 -
Oral Diseases Nov 2022
Topics: Humans; Ageusia; COVID-19; Anosmia; Olfaction Disorders
PubMed: 35871489
DOI: 10.1111/odi.14322 -
ORL; Journal For Oto-rhino-laryngology... 2022
Topics: Anosmia; COVID-19; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Smell
PubMed: 35279652
DOI: 10.1159/000522533 -
International Dental Journal Apr 2022The aim of this research was to determine the relationship and prevalence of taste and smell dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)...
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this research was to determine the relationship and prevalence of taste and smell dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population.
METHODS
Enrolled participants were interviewed online via a phone call after obtaining their informed consent. Quantification of smell, taste, and other sensations before, during, and after COVID-19 infection was correlated with the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.
RESULTS
A total of 500 patients with (mild-severe) COVID-19 completed the survey. A total of 26.4% were asymptomatic, and 21.4% were classified as paucisymptomatic with less severe symptoms. Almost equal proportions of the studied population experienced extreme taste sensation reductions (43%) and loss of smell sensation (44%). Statistically significant drastic decreases in smell and taste senses were seen among younger individuals. The magnitude of reduction in both sense changes increased steeply from the asymptomatic group to the paucisymptomatic group to the symptomatic group.
CONCLUSIONS
Sudden anosmia or ageusia need to be recognised for early detection of COVID-19 infection to identify otherwise hidden carriers, thus favoring an early isolation strategy that will restrict the spread of the disease.
Topics: Ageusia; Anosmia; COVID-19; Humans; Prevalence; United Arab Emirates
PubMed: 34226066
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2021.05.006 -
European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology,... Mar 2022
Topics: Anosmia; COVID-19; Humans; Olfaction Disorders; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34481758
DOI: 10.1016/j.anorl.2021.07.009 -
The Lancet. Digital Health Sep 2021Multiple voluntary surveillance platforms were developed across the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a real-time understanding of population-based... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Anosmia, ageusia, and other COVID-19-like symptoms in association with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, across six national digital surveillance platforms: an observational study.
BACKGROUND
Multiple voluntary surveillance platforms were developed across the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a real-time understanding of population-based COVID-19 epidemiology. During this time, testing criteria broadened and health-care policies matured. We aimed to test whether there were consistent associations of symptoms with SARS-CoV-2 test status across three surveillance platforms in three countries (two platforms per country), during periods of testing and policy changes.
METHODS
For this observational study, we used data of observations from three volunteer COVID-19 digital surveillance platforms (Carnegie Mellon University and University of Maryland Facebook COVID-19 Symptom Survey, ZOE COVID Symptom Study app, and the Corona Israel study) targeting communities in three countries (Israel, the UK, and the USA; two platforms per country). The study population included adult respondents (age 18-100 years at baseline) who were not health-care workers. We did logistic regression of self-reported symptoms on self-reported SARS-CoV-2 test status (positive or negative), adjusted for age and sex, in each of the study cohorts. We compared odds ratios (ORs) across platforms and countries, and we did meta-analyses assuming a random effects model. We also evaluated testing policy changes, COVID-19 incidence, and time scales of duration of symptoms and symptom-to-test time.
FINDINGS
Between April 1 and July 31, 2020, 514 459 tests from over 10 million respondents were recorded in the six surveillance platform datasets. Anosmia-ageusia was the strongest, most consistent symptom associated with a positive COVID-19 test (robust aggregated rank one, meta-analysed random effects OR 16·96, 95% CI 13·13-21·92). Fever (rank two, 6·45, 4·25-9·81), shortness of breath (rank three, 4·69, 3·14-7·01), and cough (rank four, 4·29, 3·13-5·88) were also highly associated with test positivity. The association of symptoms with test status varied by duration of illness, timing of the test, and broader test criteria, as well as over time, by country, and by platform.
INTERPRETATION
The strong association of anosmia-ageusia with self-reported positive SARS-CoV-2 test was consistently observed, supporting its validity as a reliable COVID-19 signal, regardless of the participatory surveillance platform, country, phase of illness, or testing policy. These findings show that associations between COVID-19 symptoms and test positivity ranked similarly in a wide range of scenarios. Anosmia, fever, and respiratory symptoms consistently had the strongest effect estimates and were the most appropriate empirical signals for symptom-based public health surveillance in areas with insufficient testing or benchmarking capacity. Collaborative syndromic surveillance could enhance real-time epidemiological investigations and public health utility globally.
FUNDING
National Institutes of Health, National Institute for Health Research, Alzheimer's Society, Wellcome Trust, and Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ageusia; Anosmia; COVID-19; Cough; Digital Technology; Dyspnea; Female; Fever; Humans; Israel; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Pandemics; Population Surveillance; SARS-CoV-2; United Kingdom; United States; Young Adult
PubMed: 34305035
DOI: 10.1016/S2589-7500(21)00115-1 -
Journal of Biophotonics Jun 2023Along with other COVID-19 clinical manifestations, management of both olfactory and gustatory dysfunction have drawn a considerable attention. Photobiomodulation (PBM)...
Along with other COVID-19 clinical manifestations, management of both olfactory and gustatory dysfunction have drawn a considerable attention. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged to be a possible effective therapy in restoring taste and smell functionality, but the evidence is scarce. Hence, the present pilot study is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intranasal and intraoral PBM administrations in management of anosmia and ageusia respectively. Twenty Caucasian subjects who diagnosed with anosmia and ageusia were recruited. Visual analogue scale was utilised to evaluate patients' self-reported for both olfactory and gustatory functionality. The laser-PBM parameters and treatment protocols for anosmia and ageusia were as follows respectively: 660 nm, 100 mW, two points intranasally, 60 J/session, 12 sessions; dual wavelengths (660 nm and 808 nm), 100 mW, three points intraorally, 216 J/session, 12 sessions. Our results showed a significant functionality improvement of both olfactory and gustatory functionality. Extensive studies with large data and long-term follow-up period are warranted.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Ageusia; Anosmia; Pilot Projects; SARS-CoV-2; Olfaction Disorders
PubMed: 36929335
DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202300003 -
American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy Nov 2021Anosmia and ageusia are symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19, but the relationship with disease severity, onset and recovery are unclear.
BACKGROUND
Anosmia and ageusia are symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19, but the relationship with disease severity, onset and recovery are unclear.
OBJECTIVE
To examine factors associated with anosmia and ageusia and the recovery from these symptoms in an ethnically diverse cohort.
METHODS
Individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2 between March and April 2020 were eligible for the study. Randomly selected participants answered a telephone questionnaire on COVID-19 symptoms with a focus on anosmia and ageusia. Additionally, relevant past medical history and data on the COVID-19 clinical course were obtained from electronic medical records. 486 patients were in the COVID-19 group and 103 were COVID-19-negative.
RESULTS
Patients who were younger were more likely to report anosmia and/or ageusia (odds ratio (OR) for anosmia per 1-year increase in age: 0·98, 95%CI:0-97-0·99, = 0·003; for ageusia: 0·98, 95%CI:0·97-0·99, = 0·005) as were patients with lower eosinophil counts (OR for anosmia per 0.1-K/μL increase in eosinophils: 0·02, 95%CI:0·001-0·46, = 0·01, for ageusia 0·10, 95%CI:0·01-0·97, = 0·047). Male gender was independently associated with a lower probability of ageusia (OR:0·56, 95%CI:0·38-0·82, = 0·003) and earlier sense of taste recovery (HR:1·44, 95%CI:1·05-1·98, = 0·02). Latinos showed earlier sense of taste recovery than white patients (HR:1·82, 95%CI:1·05-3·18, = 0·03).
CONCLUSION
Anosmia and ageusia were more common among younger patients and those with lower blood eosinophil counts. Ageusia was less commonly reported among men, and time to taste recovery was earlier among both men and Latinos.
Topics: Ageusia; Anosmia; COVID-19; Eosinophils; Humans; Infant; Male; Olfaction Disorders; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33813917
DOI: 10.1177/19458924211004800