Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Symptoms in Hospitalized Individuals with Confirmed COVID-19 Infection in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other lower respiratory tract-related symptoms, such as fever, coughing, dyspnea, and pressure in the chest, are the major symptoms of COVID-19. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Symptoms in Hospitalized Individuals with Confirmed COVID-19 Infection. Methods: This cross-section observational study was carried out in the Department of ENT, Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur, Bangladesh. The duration of the period from July 2020 to July 2021. A total of 125 patients were participate in the study. All included patients were diagnosed as having confirmed COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. After collection, the data were checked and cleaned, followed by editing, compiling, coding and categorizing according to the objectives and variable to detect errors and to maintain consistency, relevancy and quality control. Statistical evaluation of the results used to be obtained via the use of a window-based computer software program devised with Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS-24). Results: Mean ± SD age was 35 ± 0.9. Among all the patients 60% were female and 40% were male. Regarding comorbidity, 40% had DM, 48% had HTN, 20% had Thyroid related disease and 10% had CKD. Regarding ENT manifestation, 30% had Sore throat, 60% had Anosmia, 35% had Nasal congestion, 33% had nasal obstruction, 34% had Sneezing, 38% had headache, 30% had olfactory and taste dysfunction, 28% had Runny nose or rhinorrhea, 19% had Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI), 10% had Tonsil enlargement and 8% had Allergic rhinitis. There was a significant relationship between age and Severity of COVID-19, Sex and Severity of COVID-19, -19, smoking and Severity of COVID-19. More severe cases were observed in female patients. Most severe COVID-19 cases were reported in patients with comorbidities. Conclusion: The most prevalent symptoms of COVID-19 are fever and cough, although ......