Logistic regression analysis of risk factors and characteristics of gustatory dysfunction in elderly patients with COVID-19

GUO Jing-fang; WANG Hui; ZHAN Xiao-yi; CHENG Meng-lin; HUANG Xiao-feng

doi:10.19749/j.cn.cjgd.1672-2973.2024.02.004

Abstract：Objective The objective of this study was to explore the characteristics and risk factors of taste dysfunction in elderly patients infected with novel coronavirus(COVID-19).Methods COVID-19 subjects who were admitted to the Stomatology Department of Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from December 2022 to August 2023 were selected as research objects.The clinical characteristics and related conditions of gustatory dysfunction after COVID-19 infection were recorded by means of"Questionnaire Star"and questionnaire survey,The influencing factors were discussed by logistic regression analysis.Results The incidence of taste disturbance was 32.54％in the elderly group and 42.57％in the young and middle-aged group.The duration of COVID-19 infection,fever,smoking history,respiratory symptoms(olfaction dysfunction),systemic symptoms(muscle and joint pain),and underlying diseases(hypertension,diabetes,sleep apnea syndrome)were independent risk factors for taste dysfunction in elderly infected persons(P＜0.05).Age,vaccination status and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases had little correlation with the change of taste function(P＞0.05).The sQOD-NS score in patients with taste loss was significantly lower than that in patients with normal and abnormal taste(P=0.001).Conclusion gustatory dysfunction is one of the main oral clinical symptoms of the elderly infected with COVID-19.There are many factors affecting gustatory dysfunction,and the risk factors include:Duration of COVID-19 infection,fever,smoking history,olfaction dysfunction,muscle and joint soreness,as well as high blood pressure,diabetes,and sleep apnea syndrome significantly increase the risk of taste dysfunction in COVID-19 patients.These findings contribute to future research into the diagnosis,prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection.