Title:Olfactory Dysfunction in Healthcare Workers with COVID-19: Prevalence
and Associated Factors
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Author(s): Kacem Imène*, Kahloul Mohamed, Ghenim Amal, Ajmi Mohamed, Chouchane Asma, Aloui Asma, Khalefa Wael, H. Kalboussi, El Maalel Olfa, Naija Walid, Maoua Maher and Mrizak Nejib
Affiliation:
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, 4000 Sousse, Tunisia
- Department of Occupational Medicine,
University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia
Keywords:
Persisted, therapeutic options, symptoms, pauci-asymptomatic, olfactory dysfunction, PCR.
Abstract:
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a real global health crisis. Its clinical
presentation has evolved over time with an increasing number of symptoms. Olfactory dysfunction
(OD) has recently been recognized as a frequent symptom relevant to screening for
COVID-19, especially in pauci-asymptomatic forms. However, the underlying mechanisms of
OD are not yet fully understood.
Aim: To determine the prevalence of OD in healthcare workers with SARS-CoV-2 and to identify
its associated factors.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional, analytical study, carried out during a period of six months
and including all healthcare workers at Farhat Hached Academic Hospital (Tunisia) who were
diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 by PCR, RAT, or chest CT scan.
Results: A total of 474 healthcare workers were included, representing a participation rate of
85.4%. The mean age was 41.02±10.67 years with a sex ratio of 0.2. The distribution of this
population by department noted that it was mainly maternity (13.9%). The most presented
workstation was nursing (31.4%). OD represented 39.2% of the reasons for consultation. Hospitalization
was indicated in 16 patients (3.4%). The average duration of hospitalization was 8.87
± 7.8 days. The average time off work was 17.04 ± 11.6 days. OD persisted for more than 90
days in 35 patients (7.4%). After multiple binary logistic regression, OD was statistically associated
with female gender (p =0.001; OR 95% CI: 2.46 [1.4-4.2]) and blue-collar occupational
category (p =0.002; OR IC95%:3.1 [1.5-6.5]). A significant association was also noted between
OD and professional seniority and absence from work duration (p =0.019; OR 95% CI: 0.97
[0.95-0.99] and p =0.03; OR 95% CI: 0.97 [0.95-0.99]) respectively.
Conclusion: OD is common in COVID-19 patients. The identification of its associated factors
may contribute to enhancing the understanding of its mechanism and drive therapeutic options.
