Triggers for Post-Viral Parosmia

NCT04868435 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UoR SREC 29/2020
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 943
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Background: Many people lose their sense of smell after they have had a cold, flu or sinus infection. Recovery (if at all) generally starts with a "parosmia" phase which means every-day smells become distorted and over-poweringly objectionable, and this can lead to malnutrition and depression. We do not know much about how or why parosmia happens, but there are key foods common to those who suffer from parosmia which seem to trigger the distortion. Parosmia and COVID-19 Loss of smell has recently been recognised as an official symptom of COVID-19, and we are starting to get reports of people who have recently had COVID-19 developing parosmia. The triggers seem to be similar to those of the common cold, flu or virus infections, but the journey between loss of smell and parosmia is different. Hypotheses

1. 1.Triggers of distortion will be the same for all parosmics.
2. 2.There may be additional trigger foods in different cultures.
3. 3.What are the trigger foods and beverages for parosmia?
4. 4.Are there regional/cultural variations?
5. 5.Does Covid-19 parosmia differ from "standard" post-viral parosmia?

Conditions

Parosmia; Smell Disorder

Keywords

Parosmia; COVID; Trigger foods

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Questionnaire

  Outcomes from the questionnaire will be: List of major trigger foods for anosmia. Typical descriptions for smell distortions. Severity of parosmia. Patterns of anosmia/parosmia symptoms in post-viral infections including Covid-19.

  20 minutes

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Study population will be drawn from those currently suffering from parosmia only. Participants will initially be recruited from the AbScent membership which has a high proportion of UK and US members, but it will be rolled out internationally via ENT consultants.

You may qualify if:

• Individuals should be currently experiencing parosmia

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals below 18 years old will be excluded from the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Reading: lead
• AbScent: collaborator
• University of London: collaborator
• University College London Hospitals: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Reading

Reading, RG6 6AP, United Kingdom

Location

Related Links

• Support and advice for those with smell disorders

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Olfaction Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sensation Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Jane K Parker, PhD

  University of Reading

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 26, 2021
• First Posted: May 3, 2021
• Study Start: November 3, 2020
• Primary Completion: July 31, 2021
• Study Completion: February 3, 2023
• Last Updated: May 9, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GB (1)