Impact of Long COVID on Mental Health and Olfactory Dysfunction
Author Information
Author(s): Saak Tiana M., Tervo Jeremy P., Vilarello Brandon J., Jacobson Patricia T., Caruana Francesco F., Spence Matthew D. A., Gallagher Liam W., Gudis David A., Motter Jeffrey N., Devanand Davangere P., Overdevest Jonathan B., Coppola David M.
Primary Institution: Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University
Hypothesis
The study aims to characterize the longitudinal burden of depression, anxiety, and neuropsychiatric symptoms in a population with persistent COVID-19-associated olfactory dysfunction.
Conclusion
Individuals with persistent COVID-19-associated olfactory dysfunction are at risk for developing ongoing neuropsychiatric conditions, which remain prevalent even nearly 2.5 years after initial COVID-19 diagnosis.
Supporting Evidence
- 41% of participants reported some level of depression at baseline.
- 29% of participants reported some level of anxiety at baseline.
- Word-finding difficulty was reported by 61% of participants at baseline.
- 68% of participants reported persistent olfactory dysfunction at follow-up.
- Neuropsychiatric symptoms were reported by 79% of participants at baseline.
Takeaway
People who lost their sense of smell after COVID-19 might feel sad or anxious for a long time, even if their smell comes back.
Methodology
Participants with confirmed COVID-19 and olfactory dysfunction completed psychophysical assessments and questionnaires for anxiety and depression at baseline and one-year follow-up.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to loss to follow-up, although baseline characteristics were similar between groups.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported measures for anxiety and depression, and subgroup analyses were limited by small participant numbers.
Participant Demographics
The cohort consisted of 73% females and 27% males, with a median age of 42 years; 27% identified as Hispanic or Latino/a.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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