Olfactory Cleft Length: A Possible Risk Factor for Persistent Post-COVID-19 Olfactory Dysfunction
Francisco Alves de Sousa, João Tarrio, André Sousa Machado, Joana Raquel Costa, Catarina Pinto, Ana Nóbrega Pinto, Bruno Moreira, Luís Meireles, Francisco Alves de Sousa, João Tarrio, André Sousa Machado, Joana Raquel Costa, Catarina Pinto, Ana Nóbrega Pinto, Bruno Moreira, Luís Meireles
Abstract
Introduction: To date, little is known about predisposing factors for persistent COVID-19-induced olfactory dysfunction (pCIOD). The objective was to determine whether olfactory cleft (OC) measurements associate with pCIOD risk.
Material and methods: Three subgroups were recruited: group A included patients with pCIOD, group B included patients without olfactory dysfunction following SARS-CoV-2 infection (ntCIOD), and group C consisted in controls without past history of SARS-CoV-2 infection (noCOVID-19). Olfactory perception threshold (OPT) and visual analog scale for olfactory impairment (VAS-olf) were obtained. OC measurements were obtained through computed tomography scans. Results were subsequently compared.
Results: A total of 55 patients with a mean age of 39 ± 10 years were included. OPT was significantly lower in pCIOD patients (group A: 4.2 ± 2.1 vs. group B: 12.3 ± 1.8 and group C: 12.2 ± 1.5, p < 0.001). VAS-olf was significantly higher in pCIOD (group A: 6 ± 2.6 vs. group B: 1.7 ± 1.6 and group C: 1.6 ± 1.5, p < 0.001). OC length was significantly higher in group A (42.8 ± 4.6) compared to group B (39.7 ± 3.4, p = 0.047) and C (39.8 ± 4, p = 0.037). The odd of pCIOD occurring after COVID-19 infection increased by 21% (95% CI [0.981, 1.495]) for a one unit (mm) increase in OC length. The odd of pCIOD occurring was 6.9 times higher when OC length >40 mm.
Conclusion: Longer OC may be a predisposing factor for pCIOD. This study is expected to encourage further research on OC morphology and its impact on olfactory disorders.
Keywords: COVID-19; Hyposmia; Length; Olfactory cleft; Olfactory dysfunction.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
© 2022 S. Karger AG, Basel.
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Source: PubMed