Six month follow-up of self-reported loss of smell during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Loss of smell and taste is now recognised as amongst the most common symptoms of COVID-19 and the best predictor of COVID-19 positivity. Long term outcomes are unknown. This study aims to investigate recovery of loss of smell and the prevalence of parosmia. Methodology: 6-month follow-up of respondents to an online surgery who self-reported loss of smell at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Information of additional symptoms, recovery of loss of smell and the development of parosmia was collected. Results: 44% of respondents reported at least one other ongoing symptom at 6 months, of which fatigue (n=106) was the most prevalent. There was a significant improvement in self-rating of severity of olfactory loss where 177 patients stated they had a normal smell of smell while 12 patients reported complete loss of smell. The prevalence of parosmia is 43.1% with median interval of 2.5 months (range 0-6) from the onset of loss of smell. Conclusions: While many patients recover quickly, some experience long-term deficits with no self-reported improvement at 6 months. Furthermore, there is a high prevalence of parosmia even in those who report at least some recovery of olfactory function. Longer term evaluation of recovery is required.

Automated summary

This study investigated the recovery of loss of smell and prevalence of parosmia in COVID-19 patients. Some patients continued to experience ongoing symptoms, such as fatigue, at 6 months. The prevalence of parosmia remained high even in patients who reported some recovery of olfactory function.