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Lechner, Matt, Chandrasekharan, Deepak, Jumani, Kiran, Liu, Jacklyn, Gane, Simon, Lund, Valerie J., Philpott, Carl 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1125-3236 and Jayaraj, Samuel
(2020)
Anosmia as a presenting symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers – A systematic review of the literature, case series, and recommendations for clinical assessment and management.
Rhinology, 58 (4).
pp. 394-399.
ISSN 0300-0729
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Abstract
Background: Healthcare workers are at the forefront of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and are at high risk for both the contraction and subsequent spread of virus. Understanding the role of anosmia as an early symptom of infection may improve monitoring and management of SARS-CoV2 infection. Methodology: We conducted a systematic review of the literature of SARS-CoV2 infection/COVID-19 and anosmia to help inform management of anosmia in healthcare works. We report a case series of healthcare workers, who presented with a loss of sense of smell secondary to COVID-19 infection to demonstrate management principles. RT-PCR was used to confirm COVID-19 positivity and psychophysical testing of olfaction was performed using the British version of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test, UPSIT. Results: The systematic literature search returned 31 articles eligible for inclusion in the study and informed our recommendations for clinical assessment and management. All three healthcare professionals who presented with loss of sense of smell subsequently tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Psychophysical testing of olfaction using the UPSIT confirmed mild and moderate microsmia in two, respectively, and normosmia at day 17 in one. Conclusions: Olfactory (± gustatory) dysfunction is indicative of COVID-19 infection and thus has important implications in the context of healthcare workers, or key workers in general, who work in close contact with others if not recognised as suffering from COVID. This leads to a potentially higher likelihood of spreading the virus. In conjunction with our literature review these findings have helped with creating recommendations on the assessment and management of olfactory dysfunction during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, both for healthcare workers and patients.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | coronavirus,sars-cov-2,covid-19,olfaction disorders,anosmia,pandemic,coronavirus infection |
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School |
| UEA Research Groups: | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Respiratory and Airways Group Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | LivePure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Apr 2020 00:03 |
| Last Modified: | 19 Oct 2023 02:40 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/74903 |
| DOI: | 10.4193/Rhin20.189 |
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