Self-reported loss of smell without nasal obstruction to identify COVID-19. The multicenter Coranosmia cohort study - 22/09/20
on behalf of the APHP COVID-19 research collaboration
Highlights |
• | Isolated loss of smell without nasal obstruction is an early red-flag of COVID-19. |
• | These patients should adopt all the preventive measures and a lockdown. |
• | Olfactory/gustative dysfunction had high predictive value to identify COVID-19. |
• | Olfactory/gustative dysfunction had high specificity to identify COVID-19. |
• | Self-reported loss of smell, among other symptoms, could help to screen COVID-19. |
Abstract |
Objectives |
To determine the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples in a subset of patients consulting for primarily isolated acute (<7 days) loss of smell and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of olfactory/gustatory dysfunction for COVID-19 diagnosis in the overall population tested for COVID-19 in the same period.
Methods |
Prospective multicentric cohort study in four olfactory ENT units and a screening center for COVID-19.
Results |
i) Among a subset of 55 patients consulting for primarily recent loss of smell, we found that 51 (92.7%) had a COVID-19 positive test (median viral load of 28.8 cycle threshold). Loss of smell was mostly total (anosmia), rarely associated with nasal obstruction but associated with a taste disorder in 80%. Olfactory dysfunction occurred suddenly, either as first complaint or preceded by mild symptoms occurring a median of 3 days. The majority of patients (72.9%) partially recovered the sense of smell within 15 days. ii) In a population of 1824 patients tested for COVID-19, the positive predictive value and the specificity of loss of smell and/or taste were 78.5% and 90.3% respectively (sensitivity (40.8%), negative predictive value (63.6%)).
Conclusions |
Self-reported loss of smell had a high predictive positive value to identify COVID-19. Making this sign well known publicly could help to adopt isolation measures and inform potential contacts.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Anosmia, Dysguageusia, Loss of smell, Positive predictive value, Viral load
Plan
Vol 81 - N° 4
P. 614-620 - octobre 2020 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.