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CC BY 4.0 · Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2025; 29(02): s00451809026
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1809026
Original Research

Symptoms and Otorhinolaryngological Sequalae in Long Covid

Alessandra Loli
1   Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, and Head and Neck Surgery, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Botucatu Medical School, Unesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
João Victor Costa Müller 
2   Department of Surgical Specialties and Anesthesiology, Universidade Estadual paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Botucatu Medical School, Unesp, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Eric Schneider de Azevedo 
2   Department of Surgical Specialties and Anesthesiology, Universidade Estadual paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Botucatu Medical School, Unesp, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Regina Helena Garcia Martins 
1   Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, and Head and Neck Surgery, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Botucatu Medical School, Unesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Abstract

Introduction

After the pandemic caused by the coronavirus, many patients have presented remaining otorhinolaryngological symptoms, but most of them are unknown to health professionals.

Objectives

To characterize otorhinolaryngological symptoms and sequelae in hospitalized patients for Covid-19.

Methods

We made a recall to patients hospitalized between April 2020 and April 2022 due to Covid-19. Demographic data, initial and remaining symptoms, days of hospitalization, intubation and/or tracheostomy, and vaccination data were collected.

Results

845 patients were hospitalized, 441 died, 404 patients were contacted by telephone, but only 109 responded to the questionnaire about initial and remaining otorhinolaryngological symptoms after 1.5 to 2 years of illness, 59 men and 50 women, with an average age of 58.61 years (20 to 94). Two study groups were composed: G 1 (n- 44; with remaining symptoms) and G 2 (n- 65; without remaining symptoms). 81% of patients in G1 and 67% of patients in G2 had been hospitalized for up to 20 days. Intubation occurred in 17 patients (G1–7; G2–10). Seven patients underwent tracheostomy. The most prevalent initial and remaining otorhinolaryngological symptoms, respectively, were dyspnea (68.8%; 14.6%), cough (65.1%; 11.92%), nasal obstruction (47.7%; 5.58%), smell dysfunction (44%; 11%), taste dysfunction (42%; 4.58%). Vaccination was reported by 54 patients (G1–21; G2–34).

Conclusions

Otorhinolaryngological symptoms were common in patients hospitalized for Covid-19, especially dyspnea, cough, nasal obstruction, smell, and taste dysfunction. Although there was a favorable long-term evolution, 40% of patients maintained permanent symptoms, such as smell and taste dysfunction and dizziness, unrelated to the vaccine doses.

Keywords

long covid - otorhinolaryngological sequelae - otorhinolaryngological symptoms


Publication History

Received: 20 September 2024

Accepted: 10 March 2025

Article published online:
03 June 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Bibliographical Record
Alessandra Loli, João Victor Costa Müller, Eric Schneider de Azevedo, Regina Helena Garcia Martins. Symptoms and Otorhinolaryngological Sequalae in Long Covid. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2025; 29: s00451809026.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1809026
 

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