Taste Dysfunction in Long COVID-19 Patients: An Observational Study

Abstract

Background: To assess the prevalence of gustatory (taste) dysfunction in Long COVID-19 patients, along with the type of dysfunction and the time taken for its resolution. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study based on patients presenting to a specialist smell clinic being run as a part of long COVID clinic in an ENT department in a regional hospital in UK. Out of all these patients presenting to this clinic, the ones with taste problems with or without smell problems were included in this study and analysed from electronic patient records. Their taste dysfunction was described along with the follow up period to look at the resolution of symptoms and the time taken for the resolution. Results: 70% of the patients had hypogeusia, 22% had dysgeusia and 8% had ageusia. 52% of the patients showed partial resolution of taste dysfunction, 28 % showed complete resolution and 16% had no improvement in a follow up period of 29 months. Overall, the taste problems lasted for an average of 19.3 ± 7.51 months. Conclusions: From our study, we concluded there is a significant burden of taste dysfunction among the long COVID patients in addition to the smell dysfunction, and despite slow recovery, many of the patients are expected to recover months after the initial infection. Nevertheless, this adds to the distress of the patient as they are unable to enjoy their food during this time which can have negative effects on the quality of life of these patients.