Systemic corticosteroids in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related smell dysfunction: an international view.

Abstract

The frequent association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and olfactory dysfunction is creating an unprecedented demand for a treatment of the olfactory loss. Systemic corticosteroids have been considered as a therapeutic option. However, based on current literature, we call for caution using these treatments in early COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction because: (1) evidence supporting their usefulness is weak; (2) the rate of spontaneous recovery of COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction is high; and (3) corticosteroids have well-known potential adverse effects. We encourage randomized placebo-controlled trials investigating the efficacy of systemic steroids in this indication and strongly emphasize to initially consider smell training, which is supported by a robust evidence base and has no known side effects.

• Authors: Caroline Huart, Carl M Philpott, Aytug Altundag, Alexander W Fjaeldstad, Johannes Frasnelli, Simon Gane, Julien W Hsieh, Eric H Holbrook, Iordanis Konstantinidis, Basile N Landis, Alberto Macchi, Christian A Mueller, Simona Negoias, Jayant M Pinto, Sophia C Poletti, Vijay R Ramakrishnan, Philippe Rombaux, Jan Vodicka, Antje Welge-Lüessen, Katherine L Whitcroft, Thomas Hummel
• Journal: International forum of allergy & rhinology (Int Forum Allergy Rhinol) Vol. 11 Issue 7 Pg. 1041-1046 (07 2021) ISSN: 2042-6984 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 33728824 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones

Topics

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (pharmacology)
• COVID-19 (complications, physiopathology)
• Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions (diagnosis, etiology, prevention & control)
• Global Health
• Humans
• Medication Therapy Management (standards, statistics & numerical data)
• Needs Assessment
• Olfaction Disorders (drug therapy, epidemiology, etiology)
• Olfactory Mucosa (drug effects, virology)
• Remission, Spontaneous
• Research Design
• SARS-CoV-2 (pathogenicity)