Prognosis of Anosmia in Patients of COVID-19

Background: The novel Corona virus (SARS COV-2) causes respiratory tract infection that has been labeled as Covid-19. It was declared a pandemic by WHO on 30th of January 2020. So far, COVID-19 has involved 218 countries and territories with 135,338,376 total cases and 2,929,315 total deaths. This virus causes severe respiratory distress syndrome and usually present with dry cough, fever, respiratory distress, and myalgia. Interestingly, patients have shown various nonspecific presentations and Anosmia is also a prominent nonspecific feature. Aim: To find out the overall progress, duration and recovery of Covid-19 related loss of smell (anosmia). Methods: This is a retrospective online study in which 45 patients were included. Data was collected by using 'Google survey form'. Only those patients, who were confirmed cases of Covid-19 (diagnosed by PCR) and who lost their smell at least 3 month earlier, were included in this study. The Statistical analysis of collected data was then carried out by using SPSS software. Results: Out of 45 patients 17(37.8%) were male and 28(62.2%) were female (male to female ratio of 1:1.6). 71.2% of the respondents were up to 40years of age. 12(26.7%) patients were between 41 to 50 years, while only one patient (2.2%) was between 51 to 60 years. In 43 patients (95.6%) the anosmia was reversible. In two of our respondents (4.4%), the smell sensation didn't return even after 3 months. Conclusion: The anosmia in Covid-19 is mostly reversible and in most of the patients its duration is less than 2 weeks.