Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence of OD in the confirmed
case with COVID-19 among our population using Quick Smell Identification
Test (Q-SIT) as screening tool.
Design: Cross- sectional study carried out in Qatif area –
Saudi Arabia among adult hospitalized patient with confirm COVID-19
during the period between May and July, 2020.
Setting: All patients were interviewed for demographic data,
history of the current disease and associated symptoms as well as
performing Q-SIT.
Participants: All confirmed COVID-19 patients, both male and
female, and adults aged 18 years or above were included. Participants
who had history of olfactory dysfunction, and critical cases required
ICU admission were excluded. The sample size was estimated using the CDC
tool (Epi Info™️) to be 260 subjects.
Main Outcome Measures: The prevalence of OD among COVID-19
using Q-SIT as screening tool.
Results: The prevalence of OD among COVID-19 cases was (16.3%)
in our population using Q-SIT compared to (27.4%) for self-reported
symptom. Females were having higher prevalence in compare to males
(30.5% and 11.1%) respectively; which was statistically significant (P
<0.001). The patients reported higher prevalence of ageusia
(31.9%) with significant association with OD (P <0.001).
Q-SIT showed high positive and negative predictive value in detecting OD
among patients with COVID-19 (84% and 93% respectively).
Conclusions: Q-SIT is a useful, validated and easy to apply
tool for screening OD among patients with COVID-19. Some patients
presented solely with this symptom which can occurs unnoticed in
COVID-19 patients, and there for required objective test for detection.
Key words: COVID-19, Olfaction Disorders, Odor, Prevalence,
Smell test