Long Covid-19 Syndrome: the Prevalence of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Patients with Olfactory Disorders

Abstract

Background: Among the frequently reported symptoms in long-term COVID-19 syndrome, we can highlight olfactory disorders depression, anxiety, and fatigue. OD can affect people's physical and mental health and can lead to neuropsychiatric symptoms. Objective: Determine the prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fatigue in patients with olfactory disorders induced by long-term COVID-19; and investigate this impact on the quality of life. Methods: The study included 30 patients with confirmed long-term COVID-19, with persistent complaints of olfactory dysfunction. OD was evaluated by the connecticut smell test. Neuropsychiatric disorders were evaluated by the fatigue severity and hospital anxiety and depression scales. Quality of life was accessed using the SF-36. Results: 70% of the patients had different degrees of hyposmia and 20% had anosmia. The most prevalent symptom was depression with 66.7% of the sample. More than half of patients also had symptoms of anxiety and fatigue (53,3% both). The most affected dimensions of SF-36 were emotional, vitality, role physical and mental health (36.6 ± 44.0, 44.3 ± 28.7, 47.5 ± 42.7, 49.8 ± 24.7 respectively). There was a moderate negative correlation between symptoms of depression and the physical role and mental health dimension. There was a moderate negative correlation between anxiety and general health, vitality, social functioning, and mental health dimensions. Symptoms of fatigue obtained a moderate negative correlation in the physical function dimension. Conclusion: The prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety and fatigue is high in patients with olfactory disorders induced by long-term COVID-19, with a negative impact on the quality of life of these patients, highlighting the role emotional aspect.