Exploring the Paradoxical Association Between Chest CT Pulmonary Involvement and Olfactory Dysfunction in COVID‐19 Patients: A Prospective Cross‐Sectional Study

Background and Aims Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is common in COVID‐19, yet its relationship with pulmonary involvement remains inconsistent. We evaluated the association between CT‐based lung involvement and OD in laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19. Methods In a prospective cross‐sectional study (Yasuj University of Medical Sciences hospitals; December 26, 2021–May 22, 2022), OD was assessed using the CCCRC protocol and pulmonary involvement was categorized using a CT lung involvement score. Associations were examined using chi‐square testing (categorical) and ANOVA where appropriate (α = 0.05). Results Among 120 patients (60 male/60 female; mean age 43.17 ± 14.76 years), 71 (59.2%) had hyposmia, and none had complete anosmia. CT pulmonary involvement was present in 40 (33.3%). OD category was significantly associated with the pulmonary involvement category (chi‐square test; P value as reported in the Results section). Conclusion OD was frequent and showed a statistically significant association with CT‐based pulmonary involvement; however, OD severity alone should not be used as a stand‐alone surrogate for pulmonary involvement. Larger multicenter studies are needed to clarify the observed pattern.