COVID-19, Anosmia, and Allergies: Is There a Relationship? A Pediatric Perspective

Giulia Brindisi; Alberto Spalice; Caterina Anania; Flaminia Bonci; Alessandra Gori; Martina Capponi; Bianca Cinicola; Giovanna De Castro; Ivana Martinelli; Federica Pulvirenti; Luigi Matera; Enrica Mancino; Cristiana Alessia Guido; Anna Maria Zicari

doi:10.3390/jcm11175019

Journal of Clinical Medicine (Aug 2022)

COVID-19, Anosmia, and Allergies: Is There a Relationship? A Pediatric Perspective

Giulia Brindisi,
Alberto Spalice,
Caterina Anania,
Flaminia Bonci,
Alessandra Gori,
Martina Capponi,
Bianca Cinicola,
Giovanna De Castro,
Ivana Martinelli,
Federica Pulvirenti,
Luigi Matera,
Enrica Mancino,
Cristiana Alessia Guido,
Anna Maria Zicari

Affiliations

Giulia Brindisi: Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Alberto Spalice: Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Caterina Anania: Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Flaminia Bonci: Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Alessandra Gori: Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Martina Capponi: Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Bianca Cinicola: Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Giovanna De Castro: Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Ivana Martinelli: Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Federica Pulvirenti: Primary Immune Deficiencies Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I, 00185 Rome, Italy
Luigi Matera: Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Enrica Mancino: Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Cristiana Alessia Guido: Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Anna Maria Zicari: Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11175019
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11, no. 17
p. 5019

Abstract

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Background: Between June and July 2020, we evaluated children and adolescents concerning post-infection surveillance after a COVID-19 positivity during the lockdown. We aimed to assess whether the anamnestic presence of allergies could correlate with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, and in particular with anosmia. Material and methods: For each patient, we collected anamnestic data, the presence of allergies documented by performing skin prick tests, and COVID-19 symptoms. Then, if over six years of age, each patient underwent an active anterior rhinomanometry. Results: A total of 296 patients were enrolled, of whom 105 (35.4%) reported allergies. Considering COVID-19 symptoms, 74 subjects (25%) presented an asymptomatic form, 222 (75%) reported symptoms, and anosmia recurred in 60 subjects (27.03%). A statistically significant relationship was found between allergies and symptomatic COVID-19 (p = 0.042), allergies, and anosmia (p = 0.05), and allergies and anosmia in males (p = 0.007). Moreover, anosmic patients presented a higher body mass index, older age, and a longer COVID-19 duration with statistical significance (p = 0.001, 0.001, 0.006, respectively). Conclusions: Allergic subjects seem to develop symptomatic COVID-19 more frequently and allergies appear to be a protective factor from anosmia’s onset in males.

Published in Journal of Clinical Medicine

ISSN: 2077-0383 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/jcm

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