Alteraciones de los sentidos del gusto y el olfato tras infección por COVID-19 en adultos

Abstract

Clinical manifestations due to altered senses of smell and taste have increased onset frequency during COVID-19 infection since the beginning of the pandemic. The pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 and the therapeutic approach and prognosis of these dysfunctions have been poorly studied due to the lack of scientific evidence. General objective: To describe the alterations of the senses of taste and smell after infection by COVID-19 in adults, to characterize the pathogenic mechanisms and current therapeutic schemes, and to specify their prognosis. Methodology: Narrative literature review. A scientific search was conducted in databases such as "ScienceDirect," "PubMed," "UpToDate," and "Cochrane" from the official websites of the Catholic University of Cuenca, using the following keywords: "Anosmia," "COVID-19," "Hyposmia," and "Ageusia." The publication filter was established for articles published within the last five years, with evidence levels ranging from one to four, according to Scimago. Results: According to the Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, the evidence about the alterations of the senses of taste and smell caused by pathogenic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 at the neural level is limited. Based on available evidence, using corticoids, phytochemicals, and intranasal biologics can contribute to the recovery of taste and olfactory dysfunctions; the short and long-term prognosis is favorable. Conclusions: Alterations in the senses of taste and smell are limited to the acute COVID-19 infection in adults, except for persistent olfactory dysfunction that could evolve to be irreversibly established in individualized cases. The treatment and its results will depend exclusively on the biological acquiescence of each patient.