Investigation of the relationship between the symptom of loss of odor and/or taste and blood values in moderate and severe COVID-19 patients

Purpose: The aim of the study was to seek an answer to the question, "Is there a relationship between the loss of smell and/or taste, which is one of the symptoms of Covid-19 disease, the severity of the disease, and blood values?" From this point of view, it is to investigate whether there is a predictive value among the parameters we examined in the occurrence or recovery of odor and / or taste loss. Materials and Methods: Between September 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021, 324 Covid-19 patients, mostly moderate and severe, who were admitted to our Covid-19 service and followed up, were asked whether they experienced loss of smell and/or taste during their hospitalization. 53 patients with loss of smell and/or taste were included in the study. After discharge, patients with loss of smell and/or taste were contacted by phone and their information was obtained. Questionnaires were asked to these patients. Patients were asked to rate the severity of symptoms from 0 to 10. The treatments received by the patients were recorded. Blood tests taken routinely in Covid-19 services were recorded. 43 Covid-19 patients, who were followed in our service, who had no loss of smell or taste, were included in the control group, and the blood tests of this group were also recorded. Results: Thoracic CT scores of patients with loss of smell and/or taste were significantly lower than the control group. Again, the minimum oxygen saturation values of these patients were significantly higher than the control group. The age values of the patients with olfactory loss were significantly younger than the control group. The age values of the patients who had taste loss were lower than the control group, but it was not found significant (p:0.052). Inflammatory values were found to be significantly associated with the development and recovery of smell and taste loss. Conclusion: Covid-19 patients with loss of smell and/or taste have a milder illness and the probability of serious illness is reduced. Patients with smell and/or taste loss require less hospitalization and a shorter hospital stay. Keywords: Covid-19, loss of smell, loss of taste