Loss of smell: why this symptom anticipates a good prognosis in COVID-19 patients

Loss of smell is not only one of the factors for early diagnosis of COVID-19, it is also a symptom of a good prognosis of the disease., according to an international survey carried out by scientists from the Complutense University and the Clínico San Carlos Hospital in Madrid.

Through a study carried out in many centers, with the largest sample used to date (5,868 patients admitted) Researchers have corroborated that although its origin remains a mystery, anosmia – loss of smell – may act as a good prognostic factor for the disease.

“These findings have many implications, from the initial assessment of patients to the ability to understand pathophysiology. It is possible that the invasion of the nasal epithelium will trigger adequate immunity avoiding cytokine storms “, explained Jesús Porta-Etessam, head of the neurology section of the Clínico San Carlos hospital, professor at the medical faculty of the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and first author of the book.

In addition to identifying anosmia as a good prognostic factor, Researchers have also determined that odor and taste dysfunctions are more common in women. (12.41% against 8.67%), in children under 65 and in patients with renal, pulmonary, cardiac, neurological or oncological pathologies.

The results obtained on one of the first symptoms of the coronavirus can be used as criteria when classifying patients or making treatment decisions, according to the Complutense University of Madrid in a note published on Monday.

The conclusions of this study could be used to develop “risk indices” of complication, which according to Porta-Etessam would be very useful and interesting when observing, treating or evaluating the discharge of patients.

In addition to the UCM and the San Carlos clinical hospital, the Madrid hospitals of La Paz, Infanta Sofía, Nuestra Señora de América, Puerta de Hierro or Getafe took part in the study; the university hospitals Clínico de Valladolid (north-western Spain), Virgen de La Arraixaca (Murcia) -south-est- Álvaro Cunqueiro (Vigo) -nowest- and Burgos (north); Havana Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery (Cuba); the General Hospital of the North of Guayaquil IESS Los Ceibos (Ecuador) or the San Carlo Clinic in Milan (Italy).

According to Stella Maris Cuevas (MN: 81701), otolaryngologist specializing in smell, The sense of smell provides a set of sensations, emotions, pleasures which translate into a state of well-being. We smell, we smell and we emit odors. And these smells are present in everyday life, in romantic relationships, in health, at work, in industry, in transport, in religious rituals. Smells are present everywhere, they are part of our interaction in the social sphere.

The expert says that The first thing patients ask themselves is if the lack of smell can be treated, if it will come back, and if it will regain that feeling. The good news is the answer is yes: lack of smell has medical treatment and, in addition, the smell can be recycled and it usually recovers after days or weeks or even months, it always depends on when it is viewed.

For more than a decade, it has been clearly proven that olfactory training with odoriferous substances can restore odor. In 2009, a group of German researchers led by specialist Thomas Hummel described this wonderful possibility of recycling the sense of smell thanks to brain plasticity.

For that an individualized protocol is designed, according to the priorities of each case and the damage that this abolition causes to the person. “There is no magic wand, but the guide in the therapeutic process is personalized, according to the case of each patient”, he assures.

The training, as mentioned, is individualized and consists, in each case, of repeated exposure to different odors of the patient’s choice for as long as necessary, one at a time. The basis of the training is that the patient associates the smell with his memory (evoking memories with this substance). Exercise should be performed for 5 seconds to 5-10 minutes, three or four times a day.

Scent training based on repeated stimulation is an experience that improves scent skills. It is a beneficial therapy for patients with post-viral, post-infectious loss of smell and also losses due to head injuries or (those whose causes are unknown).

In these retraining therapies, improvements are observed and, at the moment, with medical treatment, this is what can be offered to the patient.

With information from EFE

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