Olfactory Dysfunction After SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the RECOVER Adult Cohort

What are patterns of olfactory dysfunction in adults after SARS-CoV-2 infection?In this cohort study, 1111 of 1393 SARS-CoV-2–infected participants who reported loss in or change of smell or taste a mean of 2 years after infection (80%) had hyposmia on formal testing, a total of 321 (23%) had severe microsmia or anosmia, and the mean age- and sex-standardized score was at the 16th percentile. Hyposmia was also present in 1031 of 1563 participants (66%) with prior infection but no self-reported change or loss (mean: 23rd percentile).These findings suggest that occult hyposmia following infection with SARS-CoV-2 is common, and olfactory testing should be considered after infection to diagnose olfactory dysfunction and counsel patients about the risks of smell loss.

Corresponding Author: Leora I. Horwitz, MD, MHS, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 227 E 30th St, Ste 633, New York, NY 10016 (Leora.horwitz@nyulangone.org).

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