Combined impact of COVID-19 and renal failure on taste perception in a sample of the Egyptian population

Abstract

PURPOSE: The present study aims to investigate the prevalence and severity of taste impairment among post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hemodialysis patients in a sample of the Egyptian population. METHODS: This study was conducted on 272 post-COVID-19 subjects, of whom 136 were hemodialysis patients and 136 were healthy controls. History taking, clinical examination, and assessment of altered taste score, tongue coating index, salivary flow rate, and salivary pH were performed. RESULTS: The present study revealed a high prevalence of impaired taste function in post-COVID-19 hemodialysis patients with 72.06% affected in varying degrees; mild (25%), moderate (3.68%), severe (30.15%), and overwhelming taste impairment (13.24%). However, only 12.5% of the control group reported just a mild degree of taste impairment. CONCLUSION: The current study has shown the high prevalence and severity of taste impairment in post-COVID-19 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis (72.06%), which indicates the combined deteriorating effect of both COVID-19 and renal failure on taste function emphasizing the importance of prompt identification and management of COVID-19 associated taste impairment to improve the quality of life in hemodialysis patients.