Exploring the Paradoxical Association Between Chest CT Pulmonary Involvement and Olfactory Dysfunction in COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is common in COVID-19, yet its relationship with pulmonary involvement remains inconsistent. We evaluated the association between CT-based lung involvement and OD in laboratory-confirmed COVID-19.

METHODS

In a prospective cross-sectional study (Yasuj University of Medical Sciences hospitals; December 26, 2021-May 22, 2022), OD was assessed using the CCCRC protocol and pulmonary involvement was categorized using a CT lung involvement score. Associations were examined using chi-square testing (categorical) and ANOVA where appropriate (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

Among 120 patients (60 male/60 female; mean age 43.17 ± 14.76 years), 71 (59.2%) had hyposmia, and none had complete anosmia. CT pulmonary involvement was present in 40 (33.3%). OD category was significantly associated with the pulmonary involvement category (chi-square test; P value as reported in the Results section).

CONCLUSION

OD was frequent and showed a statistically significant association with CT-based pulmonary involvement; however, OD severity alone should not be used as a stand-alone surrogate for pulmonary involvement. Larger multicenter studies are needed to clarify the observed pattern.