Sensory disorders in COVID -19 as an early identifier and healthcare worker protection

Abstract: Neurosensory symptoms are a well-known but poorly characterized sequelae of SARS CoV-2infection. In particular, there is evidence that smell and taste disturbances may sometimes be an early orsingular marker of SARS-CoV-2 infection. ENTs and other clinicians involved in the diagnosis and treatmentof sensory and communication disorders are by the nature of their work at high risk for exposure to respiratorypathogens. Furthermore, due to this high risk of disease exposure and infection, they are also particularlyvulnerable to stress and emotional disturbances. Our team has been on the forefront to collect preliminary dataon the presence of neurosensory disturbances in COVID-19 patients, the role of ENT in the treatment of thesepatients, and the protection of the physical and mental health of high risk health care workers. In this study wehope to further expand our work on these topics through the following specific aims: Aim 1 - Investigate theincidence and characteristics of sensory disorders in COVID-19 patients including anosmia, dysgeusia, dizziness, andhearing loss; Aim 2 - Assess the role of ENT in the treatment of COVID-19 and the effectiveness ofimplemented PPE measures; and Aim 3 - Evaluate mental health symptoms in high-risk healthcare workersduring and after the COVID-19 pandemic.We have established an internationally interdisciplinary collaboration to pursue our work on thesetopics including experts from China, Germany, and France. In our hospitals, we have access to our local patientsincluding over 462 patients with positive COVID-19, 1565 with confirmed negative, and 390 patients with pendingtesting results as well as a large cohort of COVID-19 patients from our international collaborators (see their LOS) forthe current study. We have published or are working to publish a variety of preliminary data including thefollowing studies: "Approaching otolaryngology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic", "Olfactory ortaste disorders as an early identifier of COVID-19 in adults and children: an international multicenterstudy", "Low Rate of Seroconversion in High Risk Medical Professionals Using a Novel Assay for COVID-19 Exposure", "A Systematic Approach to Early Identification and Healthcare Worker Protection","Otolaryngology providers must be alert for mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients" and "COVID-19:Specific challenges faced by Individuals with Autism spectrum disorders and their family". Innovationsin our proposal include: 1. A multidisciplinary, international collaboration; 3. Our minority focusedMiami sensory screening pipeline, and a database of genomic variation and phenotypes - sensorydisorders and COVID-19-positive people; and 3.Identifying a sensory impairment battery for the earlydetection of mild and asymptotic that can be incorporated into population-based screening studies.