Virus Load and Incidence Olfactory, Gustatory, Respiratory,
Gastrointestinal Disorders in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort
Study
Abstract
Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between viral load
and the incidence and recovery of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction
(OD and GD), incidence of respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms in
COVID-19 patients. Design: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Setting and
Participants: In total 599 outpatients’ cases polymerase chain reaction
(PCR)–confirmed COVID-19-positive patients in Golestan province were
included in the study. Main Outcome Measures: The incidence of OD, GD,
their severity and the time of recovery was determined. The association
of these variables with cycle threshold (CT) values of SARS-CoV-2
polymerase chain reaction was assessed. Results: The mean age of
patients was 38.27 ± 13.62 years. The incidence of general symptoms
included myalgia 70.1%, headache 51.8%, fever 47.7%, and dyspnea
21.4%. 41.9% of patients had gastrointestinal symptoms, including
abdominal pain 26.5%, diarrhea 25.2%, nausea 20.5%, and vomiting
12.9%. 12.2% of patients had comorbidity. The trimester recovery rates
of OD and GD were 93.94% and 94.74%, respectively. The mean recovery
time of OD and GD was 14.56±13.37 and 13.8±3.77 days, respectively. The
mean CT value in all patients was 27.45±4.55. There were significant
associations between CT value with headache (P=0.04), GD (P=0.002) and
OD (P=0.001). Conclusions: The intensity and the recovery of OD and GD
in Covid-19 patients may be affected by initial viral load. Unlike to
respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, the OD and GD were associated
with lower viral load. Therefore, it may be recommended to use these
clinical symptoms as an indicator in the initial screening of patients
during pandemics.