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Iatreia
Print version ISSN 0121-0793
Abstract
DEXTRE-VILCHEZ, Sergio Armando; VASQUEZ-MERCADO, Rocío Paola; ESPEJO-SINCHE, Jose Antony and CARHUALLANQUI-DE LA CRUZ, Frank Aldair. Factors associated with anosmia and ageusia in COVID-19 patients in a Peruvian province. Iatreia [online]. 2022, vol.35, n.4, pp.414-423. Epub May 25, 2023. ISSN 0121-0793. https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.iatreia.152.
Objective:
To identify the clinical presentation and factors associated with anosmia and ageusia in patients with COVID-19 in a health center in a province of Peru for the period 2020-2021.
Methods:
Cross-sectional analytical study through data from the COVID-19 program of the Essalud Polyclinic in Jauja, Peru. Sociodemographic characteristics, symptoms and comorbidities of the patients were detailed. A bivariate analysis identified the factors associated with anosmia and ageusia.
Results:
356 patients were identified: 53.1 % were women, mean age was 48.7 years (±17.8) and 261 (73.3%) with mild COVID-19. Of the total, 22.2% had anosmia and 19.9% ageusia; of which the majority were under 65 and female. Associated symptoms were found in 86.1% of patients with anosmia and 83.1% with ageusia. The main factors associated with anosmia were age younger than 65 years (p=0.027), cough (p<0.001), headache (p<0.001), dyspnea (p<0.001), nasal congestion (p<0.001) and fever (p<0.001); and ageusia: age younger than 65 years (p=0.006), cough (p=0.001), headache (p<0.001), dyspnea (p<0.001), nasal congestion (p<0.001) and diarrhea (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
Anosmia and ageusia are common symptoms of COVID-19. Most patients had these symptoms associated with common symptoms. Many of those who had anosmia had nasal congestion, so it is advisable to consider differentiating them when making the diagnosis.
Keywords : Ageusia; Anosmia; Coronavirus; COVID-19; Smell; Taste.