Objective: This study aims to investigate the olfactory and taste disorders (OTD) in Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and their effects on the quality of life (QoL).
Methods: This study was conducted between December 2021 and January 2022. The study group consisted of 30 COVID-19 patients, and the control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers. The assessment of self-reported olfactory functioning and olfaction-related quality of life (ASOF) questionnaire was administered to all subjects. ASOF consists of 3 sections: The subjective olfactory capability scale (SOC), the self-reported capability of perceiving specific odors scale (SRP), and the olfactory-related quality of life scale (ORQ). The ASOF questionnaires, frequency, and type of OTD were examined.
Results: Twelve (30%) patients had olfaction disorders (OD). Five patients (16.66%) had anosmia, and 7 (23.33%) had hyposmia. Ten (33.33%) patients had taste disorders (TD). Seven (23.33%) patients had hypogeusia and 3 (10%) had ageusia. Nine (30%) patients defined the most disordered taste as salty taste and 1 (3.3%) described it as sweet. In the ASOF results, the number of subjects with abnormal olfactory abilities was 0 in the control group, and 12 in the study group the number of subjects with problems in odor perception was 0 in the control group, and 8 in the study group, the number of subjects with odor-related problems in QoL was 0 in the control group, and 12 in the study group. ASOF-SOC, ASOF-SRP, and ASOF-QRQ scores were significantly higher in the study group (p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.001, respectively).
Conclusion: OTD is common in COVID-19 and may affect QoL.