Sakarya University Medical Faculty Traning and Research Hospital, Otolaryngology Department, Korucuk Campus, Korucuk, 54290, Sakarya, Turkey.
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 May;278(5):1675-1685. doi: 10.1007/s00405-020-06396-8. Epub 2020 Oct 3.
The aim of our study is to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of otolaryngology symptoms in COVID 19 patients.
116 patients with positive PCR test results for COVID-19 and followed up by otolaryngologists at a tertiary referral center/COVID-19 pandemic hospital were questioned in terms of otolaryngology symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection. Data including demographics, disease severity, concomitant diseases, previous otolaryngologic diseases,incidence and duration of new onset symptoms were collected and categorically analyzed. In addition, the severity of loss of smell and taste was evaluated by visual analogue score (VAS).
A total of 58 men and 58 women participated. The mean age of the patients was 57.24 ± 14.32 (19-83). The most common otolaryngological findings were hyposmia/anosmia (37.9%) and hypogeusia/ageusia (41.37%), respectively. These complaints were followed by headache (37.1%), and nausea/vomiting (31%). The most common oropharyngeal symptoms were sore throat (32.7%) and dysphagia (20.6%). The rate of otological/vestibular symptoms was dizziness (31.8%), tinnitus (11%), true vertigo (6%), and hearing impairment (5.1%), respectively. The most of symptoms were more frequent in > 60 years and women. There was a significant correlation between nasal itching and smell disturbance in patients with allergic rhinitis. Considering the duration of symptoms, the longest were hyposmia/anosmia and hypogeusia/ageusia. The mean VAS's in patients with hyposmia/anosmia and hypogeusia/ageusia were 5.52 ± 2.08 and 5.79 ± 2.21, respectively.
The most common otolaryngologic symptoms of COVID-19 infection are known as sore throat, smell and/or taste disturbances. However, our study showed that these patients can be seen with different symptoms in otological or laryngeal areas. Therefore, a more careful evaluation should be made in terms of otolaryngologic symptoms when COVID 19 infection is suspected.
本研究旨在评估 COVID-19 患者的耳鼻喉科症状发生率和特征。
在一家三级转诊中心/COVID-19 大流行医院，对 116 例经 PCR 检测结果为 COVID-19 阳性并由耳鼻喉科医生随访的患者进行了与 COVID-19 感染相关的耳鼻喉科症状询问。收集了包括人口统计学、疾病严重程度、合并症、既往耳鼻喉科疾病、新发症状的发生率和持续时间等数据，并进行了分类分析。此外，通过视觉模拟评分（VAS）评估嗅觉和味觉丧失的严重程度。
共有 58 名男性和 58 名女性参与。患者的平均年龄为 57.24±14.32（19-83）岁。最常见的耳鼻喉科发现是嗅觉减退/嗅觉丧失（37.9%）和味觉减退/味觉丧失（41.37%）。其次是头痛（37.1%）和恶心/呕吐（31%）。最常见的口咽症状是咽痛（32.7%）和吞咽困难（20.6%）。耳部/前庭症状的发生率分别为头晕（31.8%）、耳鸣（11%）、真性眩晕（6%）和听力障碍（5.1%）。这些症状在>60 岁和女性中更为常见。过敏性鼻炎患者中存在鼻痒与嗅觉障碍的显著相关性。考虑到症状持续时间，最长的是嗅觉减退/嗅觉丧失和味觉减退/味觉丧失。嗅觉减退/嗅觉丧失和味觉减退/味觉丧失患者的平均 VAS 分别为 5.52±2.08 和 5.79±2.21。
COVID-19 感染最常见的耳鼻喉科症状为咽痛、嗅觉和/或味觉障碍。然而，我们的研究表明，这些患者在耳部或喉部可能出现不同的症状。因此，在怀疑 COVID-19 感染时，应更加仔细地评估耳鼻喉科症状。
