Patients with COVID-19-associated olfactory impairment also show impaired trigeminal function

Abstract

Objective: Next to olfactory function, the nose can also perceive chemestetic sensations mediated by the trigeminal nerve. While olfactory dysfunction as a symptom of COVID-19 is well described, there has been little research on the limitation of other nasal sensory inputs due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this study was to determine possible limitations of nasal chemesthesis after COVID-19 infection by a psychophysiological diagnostic tool.

Methods: In 65 patients with a PCR-confirmed, former COVID-19 disease, olfaction was tested by means of a sniffin' sticks test, tasting by taste sprays and chemesthesis with a menthol dilution series. The subjective self-assessment of the patients was recorded via a questionnaire.

Results: We found a restriction of nasal chemesthesis and the extent correlated with the loss of smell, as well as with the values of the taste score, but not with subjective self-assessment.

Conclusion: Not only the ability to smell and taste, but also nasal chemesthesis is affected by COVID-19.

Keywords: Chemesthesis; SARS-CoV-2; Smell disorders; Sniffin’ Sticks; Trigeminal nerve.