Prevalence and Risk Factors of Smell and Taste Alterations in the United States during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Tue-P1-002
Presented by: Chuan-Ming Li
Background: Smell and taste are frequently impaired in patients infected with COVID-19. We examined the prevalence and risk factors of smell and taste alterations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the proportion of affected individuals who sought healthcare.
Methods: Adults (18+ years old; n=29,482) were asked about smell and taste alterations and history of COVID-19 diagnosis in the U.S. National Health Interview Survey conducted from January through December 2021. Prevalence estimates were adjusted for the complex random sampling design and survey-weighted logistic regression was used to estimate risk factors after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, and geographic area.
Results: Prevalence of COVID-19 history was 14.2%. The prevalence of smell alterations was 19.7% (50.7% with COVID-19) and taste alterations was 13.3% (41.3% with COVID-19). Prevalence of either smell or taste impairment was 23.3% (55.9% with COVID-19). COVID-19 was the strongest risk factor for smell or taste alterations. Other significant factors were poorer overall health, coronary heart disease, angina, anxiety or depression, asthma, dry mouth, cold/flu past year, use of prescription medications, allergy, hearing loss, poor memory or concentration, and current cigarette smoking. Vaccination reduced the risk among those who had COVID-19, whereas a long period of cold/flu in the past year and xerostomia (dry mouth) further increased the risk for those with COVID-19. Among adults aged 40+ years, 15.5% (27.1% with COVID-19) reported having discussed their smell/taste problems with a healthcare professional.
Conclusions: Prevalence of smell/taste alterations increased almost 3-fold with history of COVID-19. Several other pre-existing health factors are also associated with smell/taste impairment and COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for evidence-based guidance for assessment, treatment, and management of smell/taste impairments.
Methods: Adults (18+ years old; n=29,482) were asked about smell and taste alterations and history of COVID-19 diagnosis in the U.S. National Health Interview Survey conducted from January through December 2021. Prevalence estimates were adjusted for the complex random sampling design and survey-weighted logistic regression was used to estimate risk factors after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, and geographic area.
Results: Prevalence of COVID-19 history was 14.2%. The prevalence of smell alterations was 19.7% (50.7% with COVID-19) and taste alterations was 13.3% (41.3% with COVID-19). Prevalence of either smell or taste impairment was 23.3% (55.9% with COVID-19). COVID-19 was the strongest risk factor for smell or taste alterations. Other significant factors were poorer overall health, coronary heart disease, angina, anxiety or depression, asthma, dry mouth, cold/flu past year, use of prescription medications, allergy, hearing loss, poor memory or concentration, and current cigarette smoking. Vaccination reduced the risk among those who had COVID-19, whereas a long period of cold/flu in the past year and xerostomia (dry mouth) further increased the risk for those with COVID-19. Among adults aged 40+ years, 15.5% (27.1% with COVID-19) reported having discussed their smell/taste problems with a healthcare professional.
Conclusions: Prevalence of smell/taste alterations increased almost 3-fold with history of COVID-19. Several other pre-existing health factors are also associated with smell/taste impairment and COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for evidence-based guidance for assessment, treatment, and management of smell/taste impairments.