The Relationship Between Pneumonia Severity and The Presence of Anosmia and Ageusia in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19

Aim: The literature revealed that group of COVID-19 patients who experience anosmia and ageusia
symptoms is younger, is predominantly female, and experiences a milder course of the disease. This
study aimed to evaluate the relationship of the presence of anosmia and ageusia symptoms with the
severity of pneumonia and laboratory test results in hospitaliz ed patients with COVID-19.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective evaluation was made of patients who were hospitalized by
the Department of Pulmonology between October 2020-March 2021 and underwent thorax computed
tomography (CT). Thorax CT findings of the patients were scored with a severity score for each lobe and
a total score was obtained. Pneumonia was classified according to the shape, distribution and appearance
of the lesions, and laboratory test results were obtained. These findings were compared according to the
presence of anosmia and ageusia symptoms.
Results: Evaluation was made of a total of 177 patients, comprising 89(50.2%) males and 88(49.8%)
females with a mean age of 53.0±14.5 years (range, 18-89 years). The number of patients who experienced
at least one of the symptoms of anosmia and ageusia (Group 1) was 67(37.9%) and the rest (Group 2)
did not experience any of these symptoms. The Group 1 patients who experienced these symptoms was
younger (p=0.009). No difference was determined between groups regarding the total pneumonia score
and involvement patterns (p> 0.05). The groups were similar in terms of laboratory results(p> 0.05) .
Conclusion: The prevalence of anosmia and ageusia in hospitalized patients is not a small number and
is more common in the younger population. No association was seen between the presence of these
symptoms and milder pneumonia severity and laboratory results. These symptoms do not have prognostic
value for the severity of the disease in hospitalized patients.