Changes In Sense Of Smell Research Articles

COVID-19 Associated Neurological Manifestation.

At the end of 2019, COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan. In March 2020, COVID-19 became a pandemic globally. Saudi Arabia registered the first case of COVID-19 on March 2, 2020. This research aimed to identify the prevalence of different neurological manifestations of COVID-19 and to assess the relation of the severity, vaccination state, and continuity of symptoms to the occurrence of these symptoms. Cross-sectional retrospective study was done in Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted on previously diagnosed COVID-19 patients by random selection using a predesigned online questionnaire to collect data. Data was entered through Excel and analyzed through SPSS version 23. The study showed that the most common neurological manifestations in COVID-19 patients are headache (75.8%), changes in sense of smell and taste (74.1%), muscle pain (66.2%), and mood disturbance (depression, anxiety) (49.7%). Whereas other neurological manifestations such as weakness of the limbs, loss of consciousness, seizure, confusion, and vision changes are significantly associated with older individuals, this may lead to increased mortality and morbidity in these patients. COVID-19 is associated with many neurological manifestations in the population of Saudi Arabia. The prevalence of neurological manifestations is similar to many previous studies, where acute neurological manifestations such as loss of consciousness and convulsions are seen more in older individuals which may lead to increased mortality and worse outcomes. Other self-limited symptoms such as headache and change in smell function i.e., anosmia or hyposmia were more pronounced in those <40 years. This mandates more attention to elderly patients with COVID-19, to early detect common neurological manifestations associated with it, and to apply preventive measures known to improve the outcome of these symptoms.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children: a prospective multicentre cohort study

BackgroundStudies based on molecular testing of oral/nasal swabs underestimate SARS-CoV-2 infection due to issues with test sensitivity, test timing and selection bias. The objective of this study was to report...

A pilot study on the efficacy of nasal rinsing during ablution in reducingacute respiratory tract infection (ARI) among male Hajj pilgrims.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effectiveness of nasal rinsing during ablution in reducing acute respiratory tract infection among male Hajj pilgrims.MethodsA quasi-experimental trial study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of nasal rinsing between two groups. The intervention group was instructed to perform nasal rinsing during ablution, while the control group was not asked to do nasal rinsing. Both groups were provided progress diaries to record the symptoms of respiratory tract infection, including cough, rhinorrhoea, nasal blockage, fever, and sore throat, as well as thick phlegm, shortness of breath, epistaxis, and changes in sense of smell. The groups were also instructed to record any visits to clinics for their symptoms throughout their stay in Makkah for the Hajj ritual.ResultsThe study showed that nasal rinsing significantly reduced the symptoms of cough, rhinorrhoea, and nasal blockage. The intervention group had an increased number of visits to healthcare facilities for treatment, when compared to those of the control group. There were no significant differences in the groups regarding the symptoms of fever and sore throat.ConclusionNasal rinsing can be included as part of intervention methods that include vaccination and the use of a face mask. Nasal rinsing can be easily practiced by the pilgrims, since it is a Sunnah act in ablution, which is an integral element of Muslims' daily life.

Olfaction in chemotherapy for head and neck malignancies.

Systemic chemotherapy for different malignancies occurs alongside various side effects, including reduced sensory function. To date, little is known about the effect of chemotherapeutic agents on olfaction. The aim of this study was to provide new data about changes in sense of smell during chemotherapy among patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region. In a prospective, controlled cohort study of patients undergoing up to three courses of chemotherapy (cis- or carboplatin, 5-fluorouracil and docetaxel), olfaction was evaluated prior to and directly following completing a cycle, as well as 3 weeks later with the beginning of the next cycle. For evaluation of sense of smell, the established Sniffin' Sticks test with a determination of threshold, discrimination and identification (TDI) was used. Thirty-three patients (44-85 years old, 25 men and 8 women) were included in the study. Most malignancies were located in the oropharynx. Among the 28 patients who scored normosmic or hyposmic at the beginning of the study, the mean decrease in TDI-score was 0.72 points (24.0-23.2) in the first cycle, 2.1 points (24.5-22.4) in the second cycle and 0.77 points (24.2-23.4) in the third cycle. The decrease during the second cycle was significant. Age (>55 years) had a significant (negative) influence in the first and the second cycles. Smoking only showed a tendency to decreased TDI-scores in chemotherapy. In-between consecutive cycles an increase in TDI-score was obvious (+1.0 points after the first and +1.5 points after the second cycle). Chemotherapy with cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil and docetaxel significantly affected sense of smell to a small extent. This effect was more pronounced in elderly patients and smokers. This fact must be taken into account as a possible additional negative effect in usually prevailing malnutrition in these patients. Furthermore, no cumulative effect of the administered therapeutic agents on olfaction could be proven during this study and recovery occurred within a 3-week period.

Pica and olfactory craving of pregnancy: how deep are the secrets?

The practice of pica during pregnancy is described in contemporary literature as the ingestion of nonfood substances and food staples in response to craving. A previously unnamed practice, olfactory craving of pregnancy, is the smelling by pregnant women of selected substances in response to craving, which may occur alone or with pica. Observations and descriptions of women's experiences of pica and olfactory craving were documented during individualized postpartum bedside instruction of 300 women at a midwestern hospital between 1992 and 1994. Most women were African American and low income. Eight themes about pica of pregnancy were keeping practices secret, singularity of the experience, obtaining the craved substance, fears for effects on the fetus, yielding or not yielding to cravings, use of substances as medication, pica and food intake, and sensory experiences other than taste. Three themes about olfactory craving of pregnancy were changes in sense of smell during pregnancy, types of craved substances and settings, and escalation in use during pregnancy. The clinical stages of pica and olfactory craving require further investigation, and perinatal caregivers have to seek and remove the barriers that cause pregnant women to isolate themselves with the practices that stem from these cravings.

Verbal communication of ventilator-dependent patients

To assess whether communication capabilities of ventilator-dependent patients are improved by the use of the Passy-Muir unidirectional valve. Prospective study. An 18-bed multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU) at the University Hospital, Las Palmas, Spain. Ten chronic ventilator-dependent patients who had undergone tracheostomy and met the following criteria: ability to eliminate tracheobronchial secretions in order to maintain a patent and unobstructed airway, adequate gas exchange while ventilated with an FIO2 of < or = 0.4 (Pao2 > 60 torr [8 kPa]), Paco2 of < 55 torr (7.3 kPa), normal hemodynamics without the need for administration of vasopressors, and normal mental state. Eight patients presented with pulmonary disease, and two presented with neuromuscular disease. Before attaching the Passy-Muir valve, the following procedures were performed: a) suction of tracheal and pharyngeal secretions; b) deflation of the tracheostomy tube cuff; c) increase in the ventilator's tidal volume setting to maintain the inspiratory pressure before cuff's deflation; d) set peak inspiratory pressure alarm and disconnect expiratory volume alarm. The valve was then connected between the tracheostomy tube and the Y-shaped piece of the ventilator's circuit. Respiratory movements, arterial blood gases, peak inspiratory pressure, respiratory rate, quantity of secretions, and changes in sense of smell were monitored during the study. The valve's efficacy was evaluated according to the patient's ability to talk and be understood during the entire respiratory cycle. The Passy-Muir valve was effective in improving communication in eight of ten patients who, during its use, presented insignificant cardiorespiratory changes, decreased secretions, and effected considerable improvement in well-being. Its use was impossible in two patients: one with severe pulmonary disease because cuff deflation prevented adequate ventilation, and one patient with neuromuscular disease and laryngopharyngeal dysfunction. The Passy-Muir unidirectional valve allows ventilator-dependent patients to talk and communicate without assistance. Patients felt better and were motivated to participate in their own care.