Management of Post-COVID-19- Related Olfactory Dysfunction

Abstract

Evidence suggests that the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction (OD) occurs in 50% of patients with COVID-19.
Emerging data suggest a high rate of early and spontaneous recovery, but approximately 10% of patients showed no improvement at 4-6 weeks after recovery. Given the high prevalence of COVID-19, a considerable number of patients will experience this morbidity.
Thus, the main goal of this review is to define a guideline protocol for patients recovered from COVID-19, who present with olfactory dysfunction. In those cases, it is important to start by classifying the severity of this change and rule out other possible underlying etiologies, which may require further investigation.
The treatment with best results is olfactory training. Additionally, the use of nasal corticosteroid spray or omega-3 supplementation may be recommended.
It should be noted that those conclusions are based upon clinical trials whose patients were infected by viruses other than SARS-CoV-2. This way, further study and validation regarding the treatment of this condition should be carried out as the pandemic progresses.