Comparisons between anosmia and ageusia with neurological symptoms and cardiorespiratory fitness among post-COVID-19 individuals: a cross-sectional study
- 1Cesumar University (Unicesumar), Maringá, Paraná Brazil
- 2Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Health Promotion Intervention (LIIPS), Avenida Guedner, 1610 – Jardim Aclimação, Maringá, 87050-900 Paraná Brazil
- 3Cesumar Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation (ICETI), Maringá, Paraná Brazil
Abstract
Background: Anosmia and ageusia are among the most frequent symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome, yet their association with neurological symptoms and cardiorespiratory fitness remains unclear.
Objective: To compare the presence of anosmia and ageusia with neurological symptoms and cardiorespiratory fitness in post-COVID-19 individuals.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 201 post-COVID-19 individuals who completed a standardized questionnaire assessing anosmia, ageusia, and neurological symptoms. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using the Bruce treadmill test with direct measurement of peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak). Missing data were handled by multiple imputation. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using binary logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, acute infection severity, medical history, body fat percentage, and skeletal muscle mass.
Results: After adjustment, anosmia was independently associated with dizziness (OR = 2.22; 95% CI 1.15–4.31) and aural fullness (OR = 4.54; 95% CI 1.16–17.80), and ageusia with memory deficit (OR = 2.91; 95% CI 1.47–5.75) and aural fullness (OR = 4.08; 95% CI 1.02–16.30). No significant associations were found with tinnitus or hearing loss. VO₂peak did not differ significantly between participants with and without anosmia (mean difference 1.13 mL/kg/min; Cohen’s d = 0.14; 95% CI − 0.14 to 0.42; p = 0.325) or ageusia (mean difference 1.36 mL/kg/min; Cohen’s d = 0.17; 95% CI − 0.12 to 0.45; p = 0.244).
Conclusions: Anosmia and ageusia are associated with neurological symptoms but not with cardiorespiratory fitness in post-COVID-19 individuals, suggesting partially independent phenotypes. These symptoms should be considered in therapeutic assessment and management.
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BibTeX
@article{marchiori2026comparisons,
title = {{Comparisons between anosmia and ageusia with neurological symptoms and cardiorespiratory fitness among post-COVID-19 individuals: a cross-sectional study}},
author = {Luciana Lozza de Moraes Marchiori and Glória de Moraes Marchiori and Fabiano Mendes de Oliveira and Victor Augusto Santos Perli and Maurício Medeiros Lemos and Braulio Henrique Magnani Branco},
journal = {Acta Neurologica Belgica},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1007/s13760-026-03189-4},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s13760-026-03189-4},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Comparisons between anosmia and ageusia with neurological symptoms and cardiorespiratory fitness among post-COVID-19 individuals: a cross-sectional study
AU - Luciana Lozza de Moraes Marchiori
AU - Glória de Moraes Marchiori
AU - Fabiano Mendes de Oliveira
AU - Victor Augusto Santos Perli
AU - Maurício Medeiros Lemos
AU - Braulio Henrique Magnani Branco
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/11
JO - Acta Neurologica Belgica
DO - 10.1007/s13760-026-03189-4
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s13760-026-03189-4
AB - Background: Anosmia and ageusia are among the most frequent symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome, yet their association with neurological symptoms and cardiorespiratory fitness remains unclear. Objective: To compare the presence of anosmia and ageusia with neurological symptoms and cardiorespiratory fitness in post-COVID-19 individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 201 post-COVID-19 individuals who completed a standardized questionnaire assessing anosmia, ageusia, and neurological symptoms. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using the Bruce treadmill test with direct measurement of peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak). Missing data were handled by multiple imputation. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using binary logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, acute infection severity, medical history, body fat percentage, and skeletal muscle mass. Results: After adjustment, anosmia was independently associated with dizziness (OR = 2.22; 95% CI 1.15–4.31) and aural fullness (OR = 4.54; 95% CI 1.16–17.80), and ageusia with memory deficit (OR = 2.91; 95% CI 1.47–5.75) and aural fullness (OR = 4.08; 95% CI 1.02–16.30). No significant associations were found with tinnitus or hearing loss. VO₂peak did not differ significantly between participants with and without anosmia (mean difference 1.13 mL/kg/min; Cohen’s d = 0.14; 95% CI − 0.14 to 0.42; p = 0.325) or ageusia (mean difference 1.36 mL/kg/min; Cohen’s d = 0.17; 95% CI − 0.12 to 0.45; p = 0.244). Conclusions: Anosmia and ageusia are associated with neurological symptoms but not with cardiorespiratory fitness in post-COVID-19 individuals, suggesting partially independent phenotypes. These symptoms should be considered in therapeutic assessment and management.
SN - 0300-9009
SN - 2240-2993
ER -