Prevalence of Parosmia Among Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients in a Tertiary Center: A Retrospective Cross Sectional Study

Abstract Background: After the COVID pandemic, many people experience a long-term symptom of olfactory dysfunction. Most of the affected cases recovered within weeks to a few months, while minority had persistent parosmia. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with parosmia in patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Adult COVID-19 patients diagnosed between January 2019 and December 2021 were included. Data were collected through telephone interviews. Statistical analyses were performed according to the aims of the study. Significant variables ( P -value<0.05) were included in the logistic regression model to determine the independent factors of parosmia. Results: Out of 274 COVID-19 patients, parosmia was reported by 10.9% (30 patients). During the illness, 49.3% of patients experienced hyposmia and 73.7% experienced anosmia, as some patients showed progression or fluctuation in olfactory dysfunction over time. In the multivariable logistic regression model, patients under 50 years of age (OR: 0.138, P = <0.001) and those with cancer had a significantly higher risk of developing parosmia. Patients who sought medical attention were also more likely to experience parosmia (OR: 8.36, P = 0.001). The most common characteristics of parosmia included weird, bad, rotten, muddy, burnt smell. While the majority (73.33%) recovered their olfactory function, 26.66% had persistent parosmia. Conclusion: Parosmia is a significant complication of COVID-19 infection, particularly affecting young adults and those with cancer. Targeted interventions and further research on effective management strategies for parosmia are needed to improve the quality of life for affected patients.