The Sungai Buloh experience: A retrospective study in olfactory and gustatory disturbance in COVID-19

Introduction: Olfactory and gustatory disturbance has been recognized as one of the COVID-19 symptoms. The prevalence of the symptoms may vary between region globally and multiple factors may have contributed to the development of the symptoms. Objective: To identify the prevalence of olfactory and gustatory disturbance in patients with COVID-19 in Sungai Buloh centres. Methods: This retrospective study, conducted for a month – April/May 2020, recruited 201 COVID-19 patients from Hospital Sungai Buloh (HSB), National Leprosy Control Centre (NLCC), and Institut Latihan Kejururawatan Kebangsaan Malaysia (ILKKM) who met the inclusion criteria. Socio-clinical data were collected from ‘ehis’ electronic system database and anosmia clerking sheet, designed for the study. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM-SPSS statistical software version 26. Results: This study reported 14.9% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 experienced olfactory and/or gustatory disturbances, where the mean age is 33 years, and patients predominantly male (70%) and asymptomatic of COVID-19 symptoms (70%). Some patients (4.5%) had olfactory and/or gustatory disturbance in the absence of other symptoms, and 10.4% reported olfactory and/or gustatory disturbances with other COVID-19 symptoms. Logistic regression showed an association between developments of olfactory and/or gustatory disturbances with symptomatic of COVID-19 symptoms, smoking status, and nationality. Conclusion: New onset of olfactory and/or gustatory disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic is a good screening tool for early detection of COVID-19 in the absence of other symptoms. Patients who are symptomatic of COVID-19 symptoms, smoker and Malaysian may have a higher risk of developing olfactory and/or gustatory disturbances in COVID-19.