Objectives: The aim of this study was to relate IL-6 and IL-1β serum levels with the severity of olfactory disorders and with the type of unperceived odors.
Methods: 82 inpatients (45 men aged 62.3 ± 14.2 and 37 women aged 57.1 ± 12.8) with only smell dysfunctions were divided into two groups. The evaluation of the smell disorder was carried out with a questionnaire to define which sensitivity is most compromised in COVID-19 patients. Cytokine levels were measured with chemiluminescence and ELISA assay. Statistical analyses were performed with the Wilcoxon Rank test, Welch's T-test, and Mann-Whitney test (p < 0.05).
Results: Statistically significant differences in IL-6 and IL-1 β levels were found in moderate disease patients when there was an impairment of trigeminal sensitivity (p <0.05) and trigeminal and olfactory sensitivity.
Conclusions: The results obtained showed that in COVID-19 patients the impairment of trigeminal sensitivity in association with olfactory sensitivity was more prevalent in moderate than in mild forms.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; cytokines; immune response; inflammation; neurosensory disorders.
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