Long-Term Smell Loss After Covid-19: New Study Reveals Persistent Olfactory Dysfunction

Several individuals have experienced impairment or complete loss of their sense of smell, according to the study

New Delhi:

A recent study indicates that some individuals may continue experiencing diminished sense of smell for years following a Covid-19 infection, even when the symptom isn't readily apparent.

Researchers from the US National Institutes of Health and New York University Langone Health conducted an investigation using an objective 40-odour assessment to examine the connection between coronavirus infection and hyposmia - the reduced ability to detect scents.

The findings demonstrated that 80 percent of study participants who reported altered smell perception after contracting Covid received low scores on a clinical olfactory test administered approximately two years post-infection.

Within this group, 23 percent exhibited severe impairment or complete loss of smell capability.

Interestingly, 66 percent of infected participants who didn't notice any smell-related issues still scored abnormally low during the evaluation.

"Our research confirms that individuals with a history of Covid-19 may be particularly vulnerable to diminished olfactory function, a condition that remains underrecognized in the general population," noted study co-lead author Leora Horwitz, professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Horwitz further highlighted that 60 percent of uninfected participants who reported no olfactory problems also performed poorly on the clinical assessment.

The comprehensive study involving 3,535 adults, published in JAMA Network Open, represents the largest investigation to date examining post-Covid smell loss using standardized testing protocols.

Based on these findings, the research team suggests that healthcare providers should incorporate smell testing as a standard component of post-Covid care.

Experts are currently investigating potential treatments to restore olfactory function after Covid infection, including vitamin A supplementation and specialized olfactory training designed to "rewire" the brain's response to odors.