Depression, Anxiety, and Neuropsychiatric Symptom Burden in a Longitudinal Cohort with Persistent Psychophysical Post-COVID Olfactory Dysfunction.

Background/objectives: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is associated with a variety of neurologic deficits and impacts socialization decisions, mood, and overall quality of life. As a common symptom comprising the long COVID condition, persistent COVID-19-associated olfactory dysfunction (C19OD) may further impact the presentations of neuropsychiatric sequelae. Our study aims to characterize the longitudinal burden of depression, anxiety, and neuropsychiatric symptoms in a population with C19OD.

Recovery rates of persistent post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction using psychophysical assessment: A longitudinal cohort study.

Objectives: Persistent olfactory dysfunction (OD) following loss of smell associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection is a major feature of long COVID. Perspectives on the prevalence of persistent OD predominantly rely on self-reported olfactory function. Few studies have tracked longitudinal rates of recovery using psychophysical assessment among patients presenting for evaluation of persistent OD beyond a window of acute recovery.

Subjective versus Psychophysical Measures of Chemosensory Alterations following COVID-19.

Introduction: Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of COVID-19. However, subjective perception of olfactory function does not always correlate well with more objective measures. This study seeks to clarify associations between subjective and psychophysical measures of olfaction and gustation in patients with subjective chemosensory dysfunction following COVID-19.

BMI Increases in Individuals with COVID-19-Associated Olfactory Dysfunction.

(1) Background: Reports suggest COVID-19-associated olfactory dysfunction (OD) may result in alterations in dietary behaviors and perceived weight change, but few studies using psychophysical evaluation of post-COVID-19-associated chemosensory dysfunction and body mass index (BMI) exist. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of both quantitative and qualitative features of COVID-19-associated OD on BMI; (2) Methods: Recruitment of thirty-one participants with self-reported OD in the form of quantitative loss with and without qualitative features. Surveys with questions specific to qualitative olfactory function, Sniffin' Sticks tests, and BMI measures were completed at two visits, one year apart.

Antibiotic adverse effects in pediatric acute rhinosinusitis: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pediatric acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) is often treated with oral antibiotics, with limited insight into adverse effects (AEs) across drug classes. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we characterize AE incidence associated with oral antibiotics in these patients.

Methodology/principal: We searched PubMed and Embase for English-language articles published from 1985 to September 2020 reporting AEs of oral antibiotic therapy for ABRS patients aged 0-18 years.

Association of Cardiovascular Comorbidities With Hearing Loss in the Older Old.

Importance: In the United States, the population of individuals older than 80 years is expected to double in the next 40 years. Cardiovascular comorbidities are prevalent in this older old population, and their relationship with hearing loss has not been well characterized.

Objective: To investigate the association of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related risk factors with auditory function among the older old (>80 years).

Increases in the Rate of Age-Related Hearing Loss in the Older Old.

Importance: There is a critical disparity in knowledge regarding the rate and nature of hearing loss in the older old (80 years and older).

Objective: To determine if the rate of age-related hearing loss is constant in the older old.

Design, Setting, And Participants: We performed a retrospective review that began on August 1, 2014, with audiometric evaluations at an academic medical center of 647 patients aged between 80 and 106 years, of whom 141 had multiple audiograms.

Hearing Aid Use is Associated with Better Mini-Mental State Exam Performance.

Objective: Hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline in the elderly. However, it is unknown if the use of hearing aids (HAs) is associated with enhanced cognitive function.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study at an academic medical center, participants underwent audiometric evaluation, the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), and the Trail Making Test, Part B (TMT-B).

Asymmetric hearing loss is common and benign in patients aged 95 years and older.

Objectives/hypothesis: The objective of our study was to investigate age-specific auditory function in the patient population aged 95 years and older.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review at a tertiary medical center.

Methods: Medical records of 51 patients older than 95 years (82% female, 18% male) who underwent audiologic testing were reviewed.