Treatment of COVID-19 Associated Olfactory Dysfunction: A Systematic Review.

Laura Van Gerven, Sabrina Bischoff, Mathilde Moyaert, Marnick Clijsters, Annabelle Vanderbroek

Journal: Current allergy and asthma reports 2024;25(1):2

PMID: 39477832

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Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

COVID -19 associated olfactory dysfunction is widespread, yet effective treatment strategies remain unclear. This article aims to provide a comprehensive systematic review of therapeutic approaches and offers evidence-based recommendations for their clinical application.

RECENT FINDINGS

A living Cochrane review, with rigorous inclusion criteria, has so far included 2 studies with a low certainty of evidence. In this systematic review we list clinical data of 36 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised studies published between Jan 1, 2020 and Nov 19, 2023 regarding treatment options for COVID-19 associated olfactory dysfunction. Nine treatment groups were analysed, including olfactory training, local and systemic corticosteroids, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), calcium chelators, vitamin supplements including palmitoylethanolamide with luteolin, insulin, gabapentin and cerebrolysin. Primary objective was the effect of the studied treatments on the delta olfactory function score (OFS) for objective/psychophysical testing. Treatments such as PRP and calcium chelators demonstrated significant improvements on OFS, whereas olfactory training and corticosteroids did not show notable efficacy for COVID-19 associated olfactory dysfunction.

Address: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.; Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. [email protected].; Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. [email protected].; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1007/s11882-024-01182-6