Survey on COVID-19 smell loss reveals over 50% of respondents still have symptoms after 5 years
Since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Medicine have maintained a national database of patients affected by COVID-19-related smell loss. Their latest survey shows that more than half of respondents are still impacted by smell dysfunction five years after initial infection.
A recent survey conducted by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Medicine has found that over 50% of COVID-19 patients still suffer from smell dysfunction five years after initial infection. Published in the journal Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, this study represents the longest investigation of its kind.
Dr. Richard Costanzo, a professor emeritus in the Department of Otolaryngology and co-author of the study, emphasized the ongoing health impacts of COVID-19 in this patient population. The research team, which included Dr. Daniel Coelho, Dr. Evan Reiter, and Dr. Aaron Tucker, surveyed more than 2,000 adults who had tested positive for COVID-19 and reported smell loss.
Follow-up surveys were conducted at two and five years post-infection. The latest findings indicate that while there have been some improvements, the percentage of individuals with no sense of smell remains consistent at 7.4%. Younger patients, under 40 years old, showed a higher likelihood of complete recovery (61.7%) compared to older participants (34%).
The researchers suggest that early intervention and targeted therapies, such as olfactory training and potential neuroprosthetic solutions, are crucial for improving outcomes in smell dysfunction caused by COVID-19.
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