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.
- MeSH
- celosvětové zdraví MeSH
- čichová sliznice účinky léků virologie MeSH
- COVID-19 * komplikace patofyziologie MeSH
- hormony kůry nadledvin farmakologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- management farmakoterapie normy statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- nežádoucí účinky léčiv diagnóza etiologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- odhad potřeb MeSH
- poruchy čichu * farmakoterapie epidemiologie etiologie MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 patogenita MeSH
- spontánní remise MeSH
- výzkumný projekt MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
