Role of topical intranasal corticosteroid for treatment of post-COVID olfactory dysfunction – Our experiences

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease caused by a novel virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 infection presents with respiratory illness and even respiratory failure and death. Olfactory dysfunction is an important clinical manifestation that has an impact on quality of life. Objective: This study is designed to analyze the role of the topical nasal corticosteroid in post-COVID olfactory dysfunction. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective and descriptive study on 72 COVID-19 patients who were administered topical intranasal corticosteroids and olfactory training. All of them were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction of the nasopharyngeal swab. The detailed clinical examination and treatment with intranasal corticosteroid and its outcome were analyzed. Results: In this study, 46 (63.88%) patients were male and 26 (36.11%) were female with a male-to-female ratio of 1.76:1. The age ranges from 18 to 58 years. There were 30 (41.66%) patients in the age range of 18–30 years and 42 (58.33%) patients in the age range of 31–58 years. Out of 72 patients, 11 (15.27%) patients recovered after 2 weeks, 34 (47.22%) patients recovered after 3 weeks, and 20 (27.77%) recovered after 4 weeks. Three patients lost to follow-up during the treatment period. Conclusion: COVID-19 infection is spreading quickly all the continents of the world. Olfactory dysfunction is an important symptom of the COVID-19 infection. Intranasal mometasone spray and olfactory training are useful treatment options for post-COVID olfactory dysfunction.