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Granvik C, Andersson S, Andersson L, Brorsson C, Forsell M, Ahlm C, Normark J, Edin A
Brain Behav 14 (6) e3574 [2024-06-00; online 2024-06-06]
Olfactory dysfunction together with neurological and cognitive symptoms are common after COVID-19. We aimed to study whether performance on olfactory and neuropsychological tests following infection predict post-COVID condition (PCC), persisting symptoms, and reduced health-related quality of life. Both hospitalized (N = 10) and non-hospitalized individuals (N = 56) were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Participants were evaluated 1-3 months after infection with an olfactory threshold test and neuropsychological tests, which was used as predictors of PCC. A questionnaire outlining persisting symptoms and the validated instrument EuroQol five-dimension five-level for health-related quality of life assessment were used as outcome data 1 year after infection (N = 59). Principal component analysis was used to identify relevant predictors for PCC at 1 year. Objectively assessed olfactory dysfunction at 1-3 months post infection, but not subjective olfactory symptoms, predicted post-COVID condition with reduced health-related quality of life (PCC+) at 1 year. The PCC+ group scored more often below the cut off for mild cognitive impairment on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (61.5% vs. 21.7%) and higher on the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20, compared to the group without PCC+. Our results indicate that objectively assessed, olfactory dysfunction is a predictor for PCC+. These findings underscore the importance of objective olfactory testing. We propose that olfactory screening in the early post-acute phase of COVID-19 infection might identify individuals that are at higher risk of developing long-term health sequalae.
PubMed 38841730
DOI 10.1002/brb3.3574
Crossref 10.1002/brb3.3574