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.