Post-COVID-19 patients suffer from chemosensory, trigeminal and salivary dysfunctions

Abstract

Abstract Recent literature indicates that post-COVID-19 patients suffer from a plethora of complications, including chemosensory dysfunction. However, little is known about salivary dysfunction in these patients and little attention is given to understand the interactions between chemosensory, trigeminal and salivary dysfunctions in post-COVID-19 patients. The aims of this study were (i) to investigate the prevalence and combinations of chemosensory, trigeminal and salivary dysfunctions, (ii) to identify the odorants/tastants that are compromised, and (iii) to explore possible associations in post-COVID-19 patients. One hundred patients and 76 pre-COVID, healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional, case-controlled study. Participants’ smell, taste, trigeminal, and salivary functions were assessed. Significantly higher prevalence was found in patients for parosmia (80%), hyposmia (48%), anosmia (40%), dysgeusia (34%), complete ageusia (3%), specific ageusia (27%), dysesthesia (11%) and dry mouth (18%) compared to controls (0% in all above except 11.8% in hyposmia). Bitter taste was the most prevalent specific ageusia (66.7%) and coffee was the most common distorted smell (56.4%). Eight different combinations of dysfunctions were observed where combination of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction was the most common (45%). These findings indicate that post-COVID-19 patients experience a range of chemosensory, trigeminal and salivary disturbances, occurring in various combinations.