MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted on SARS-CoV-2 positive patients, treated by the COVID departments (Pneumology, Infectious Disease and Surveillance and Prevention Operative Units) of the University Hospital of Sassari, between March 31 and April 6, 2020.
To be enrolled in the study, patients had to meet the following inclusion criteria: adults over 18 years of age, rhino-pharyngeal swab positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, patient acceptance for participation in the study.
On the contrary, the study exclusion criteria were: uncooperative patients, assisted ventilation, psychiatric or neurological disorders, previous surgery or radiotherapy in the oral and nasal cavities, pre-existing manifestation of smell and taste alterations, history of head trauma, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis and psychiatric or neurological disorders.
All patients provided informed consent for participation in the study. The study protocol was approved by an independent ethics committee (n° 378-2020-OSS-AUSLBO).