Statistical analysis
The data was entered into the SPSS 27 statistics software (IBM Corp., Chicago, IL, USA) for statistical analysis. Descriptive analysis was performed to present categorical variables as frequencies and percentages, whereas continuous variables were presented as means (SD), median and range. Inferential analysis was performed to test the associations between patients’ socio-demographics, risk factors (including smoking status, vaccination status, and comorbidities) and the status of their senses of smell and taste using ANOVA, t-test or Chi square as appropriate. Statistical significance was deduced if p-values were 0.05 or less. Binomial regression analysis was utilised to determine significant predictors of alterations in taste and smell.