University of California, San Diego School of Medicine La Jolla, California
Background: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) related to COVID-19 infection and chronic rhinosinusitis/rhinitis (CRS/R) has been well described. However, the former induces a sudden-onset chemosensory loss while the latter has a gradual presentation. This study aims to establish and compare health utility values (HUVs) and olfactory-specific quality-of-life (QoL) measurements between patients with COVID-19 and CRS/R related OD.
Methods: This study prospectively recruited COVID-19 and CRS/R patients with self-reported OD to complete a survey assessing HUVs (visual analog scale [VAS], EuroQol-5Dimension [5Q-5D]) and olfactory and sinonasal QoL measures (Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders-Negative Statements [QOD-NS], Sino-Nasal Outcome Test [SNOT-22]). A subgroup of subjects completed objective olfactory testing (BSIT/UPSIT). Intergroup mean scores were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test.
Results: 88 subjects were enrolled: mean age±SD (41.8±15.2 yrs), 56.8% female. No significant difference in HUVs was seen between COVID and CRS/R group: VAS (0.75±0.18 vs 0.72±0.17, p=0.29), EQ-5D (0.85±0.12 vs 0.85±0.09, p=0.62). CRS/R group had significantly worse SNOT-22 scores (27.0±18.3 vs. 49.1±21.3, p<0.0001). While overall analysis demonstrated similar olfactory-specific QoL impact (QOD-NS, COVID: 31.0±12 vs CRS/R: 35.6±10, p=0.18), sub-analysis among those with objectively tested OD (n=40) showed a greater olfactory QoL burden in the CRS/R cohort (QOD-NS 36.1±12 vs 22.8±13, p<0.05).
Conclusions: The impact of OD on overall health utility is comparable between patients with COVID-19 and CRS/R related OD. CRS/R appears to have a greater long term burden on sinonasal and olfactory-specific QoL compared to COVID-19 among those with objective OD.