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Systemic corticosteroids in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐related smell dysfunction: an international view
Author(s) -
Huart Caroline,
Philpott Carl M.,
Altundag Aytug,
Fjaeldstad Alexander W.,
Frasnelli Johannes,
Gane Simon,
Hsieh Julien W.,
Holbrook Eric H.,
Konstantinidis Iordanis,
Landis Basile N.,
Macchi Alberto,
Mueller Christian A.,
Negoias Simona,
Pinto Jayant M.,
Poletti Sophia C.,
Ramakrishnan Vijay R.,
Rombaux Philippe,
Vodicka Jan,
WelgeLüessen Antje,
Whitcroft Katherine L.,
Hummel Thomas
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international forum of allergy and rhinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.503
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 2042-6984
pISSN - 2042-6976
DOI - 10.1002/alr.22788
Subject(s) - medicine , covid-19 , adverse effect , olfaction , disease , randomized controlled trial , coronavirus , placebo , intensive care medicine , systemic disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , outbreak , neuroscience , alternative medicine , biology
Summary 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.