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Olfactory dysfunction - Epidemiological data and treatment strategies in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

HNO, ISSN: 0017-6192, Vol: 52, Issue: 2, Page: 112-120
2004
  • 160
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 89
    Captures
  • 1
    Mentions
  • 0
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

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Coronavirus: loss of smell and taste reported as early symptoms of COVID-19

Anosmia is sometimes also a symptom with the common cold, another type of coronavirus. Asier Romero/ ShutterstockSymptoms of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) typically include a dry cough, fever and shortness of breath. But evidence is beginning to emerge from other countries and now from the UK that sudden loss of smell – and in some cases, taste – is an early indication of the novel coronavi

Article Description

Introduction. Olfactory dysfunction has been reported to affect more than 200,000 patients a year in the USA. The aim of this survey was to obtain comparable epidemiological data and treatment information on olfactory dysfunction in German speaking countries. Methods. Questionnaires were sent to all otorhinolaryngology departments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland; 52% of hospitals completed the survey. Results. An average of 46 patients with olfactory dysfunction were treated per hospital every month. Hyp- and anosmia were most commonly caused by inflammatory diseases of the nose/paranasal sinuses (53%), respiratory dysfunction (19%), or postviral conditions (11%). Steroids were used most frequently for pharmacological treatment (topically 82%; orally 65%). Approximately one third of the clinics used B vitamins, or zinc; 80% of the hospitals performed surgery to treat underlying diseases. Acupuncture and smell training was used by approximately 20%. Conclusion. A total of 79,000 patients per year are treated for olfactory dysfunction in German hospitals. The vast majority of these disorders (72%) is caused by sinunasal diseases. The quality control of therapeutic strategies is urgently needed.

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