Factors associated with anosmia and ageusia in COVID-19 patients in a Peruvian province

Objective: To identify the clinical presentation and factors associated with anosmia and ageusia in patients with COVID-19 in a health ter in a province of Peru for the period 2020-2021. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study through data from the COVID-19 program of the Essalud Polyclinic in Jauja, Peru. Sociodemographic characteristics, symptoms and comorbidities of the patients were detailed. A bivariate analysis identified the factors associated with anosmia and ageusia. Results: 356 patients were identified: 53.1 % were women, mean age was 48.7 years (+/- 17.8) and 261 (73.3%) with mild COVID-19. Of the total, 22.2% had anosmia and 19.9% ageusia; of which the majority were under 65 and female. Associated symptoms were found in 86.1% of patients with anosmia and 83.1% with ageusia. The main factors associated with anosmia were age younger than 65 years (p=0.027), cough (p<0.001), headache (p<0.001), dyspnea (p<0.001), nasal congestion (p<0.001) and fever (p<0.001); and ageusia: age younger than 65 years (p=0.006), cough (p=0.001), headache (p<0.001), dyspnea (p<0.001), nasal congestion (p<0.001) and diarrhea (p<0.001). Conclusion: Anosmia and ageusia are common symptoms of COVID-19. Most patients had these symptoms associated with common symptoms. Many of those who had anosmia had nasal congestion, so it is advisable to consider differentiating them when making the diagnosis.