Efficacy and Safety of Phototherapy in the Treatment of Loss of Smell Post Acute Infection of Coronavirus 19

Efficacy and Safety of Phototherapy in the Treatment of Loss of Smell Post Acute Infection of Coronavirus 19

The aim of this study is to assess whether the use of a therapy combining olfactory training, corticoids, and phototherapy improves the PROMS compared to the use of olfactory training and corticosteroids only. To accomplish this goal the study will consist of 40 participants. The participants must present olfactory dysfunction for at least 4 weeks after a coronavirus-19 infection. Furthermore, to be eligible each participant will need a polymerase chain reaction test with positive results for coronavirus-19.

Standard Operating Procedures: Patients attending consult and calls for follow-up.

Plan for missing data: Missing data will be managed with statistical tests.

Statistical analysis: Categorical variables, whenever dichotomous or nominal, will be reported as frequencies and percentages. Normality will be assessed by the Kolmogorov Smirnov test. Descriptive statistics will be reported as mean (standard deviation) or median (interquartile range). To analyze the correlation between quantitative variables, the parametric Pearson test or the nonparametric Spearman's test will be used, subjected to their distribution. Differences between Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide groups will be analyzed for statistical significance by the chi-square test for categorical variables and by a two-sample t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables as applicable. Statistical significance will be set at a P-value less than 0.05. Analyses will be performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (V. 22.0) software.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Positive coronavirus polymerase chain reaction patients who experience loss of smell for more than 4 weeks after symptoms begin will be included in the study but at time of the trial with a negative result from a polymerase chain reaction.
• Patients older than18 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients younger than 18 years.

• Pregnancy.

• Patients who do not have a positive real-time polymerase chain reaction for Coronavirus

• Patients who have contraindications for corticosteroid therapy such as:

  1. Pregnant patients
  2. Immunosuppressed
  3. Patients with peptic ulcer
  4. Diabetics
  5. Patients with glaucoma