The Most Common Otolaryngological Manifestations of Corona Virus Disease 2019

Abstract

background:The novel Coronavirus disease (covid 19)started in in China at the end of 2019. This new virus, has rapid spread over the world . It became  a pandemic respiratory diseaseas as announced by World Health Organization on March, 2020.Otolaryngologicalsymptoms may occur before the development of the symptoms of COVID-19. COVID19 manifestations varyfrom no any symptoms to multiple organs dysfunction.

Aim of the study: to assess the incidence of the commonestear,nose and throat manifestations of COVID 19 positive patients.

Method:This study is a prospective in nature,consisted of 100 patients with a positive polymerase chain reaction  test for COVID-19 infection, who were managed and followed by otolaryngology specialists in Al-Diwanyah pandemic hospital in Al-Diwanyah city , Iraq,  between May and October  2020.They were 50 males and 50 females .the age range from 20-70 years.The inclusion criteria were  patients with positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 infection presented with otolaryngological symptoms. Exclusion criteria were physical or mental problems preventing cooperation, use of sedative, anticonvulsant ,or hypnotic drugs , previous history of otolaryngological procedures or surgery ,and history of the nervous system disease.

Results: In our study we found that the most commom otolaryngological manifestations are smell disturbances(86%) and taste disturbances  (81%) followed by headache (78%) and sore throat (70%). Most of patients are between 61 and 70 years , and females show more otolaryngological symptoms than males.

Conclusion : otolaryngological manifestations are common and may be presenting feature of COVID -19 patients specially  the smell and taste disturbances .Any patient with acute hyposmia,anosmia and parosmia (86%) or hypogeusia,ageusia and dysgusia should considered  as COVID-19 suspicion.