A confectionary-based screening tool for assessing chemosensory loss in COVID 19 patients.

The goals of this Emergency Competitive Revision are to develop (Aim 1) and deploy (Aim 2) anovel, objective, psychophysical smell and taste screening test to detect the onset of COVID 19in at-risk populations. Complementary to the temperature screening procedures currently in use,this tool is predicted to promote early identification of COVID onset leading to better prognosesand the early implementation of protocols to prevent community spread. Our specific plan is touse a hard-candy containing different combinations of tastants and flavors that are easy todistribute to a large population. During the development phase (Aim 1), this novel test will becompared with the NIH toolbox to assess the acceptability and efficacy of the two methods. Weexpect that the hard-candy assessment will be at least as efficacious in detecting chemosensoryloss but more acceptable to subjects. Aim 2 will entail daily self-monitoring of chemosensoryfunction in at-risk populations with data tracked through a secure online portal. The novelty ofthis confectionary-based test is that it provides standard stimuli that can yield objectivemeasures of both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of smell (aroma and flavor) and taste(sweet and sour). Moreover, both orthonasal and retronasal olfactory function will beindependently assessed. The test can be self-administered and the familiar, pleasant nature ofthe stimuli should facilitate a high compliance rate, allowing for continuous monitoring overprolonged periods. Moreover, the test is rapid and inexpensive. Data will be incorporated into apredictive model for COVID 19 and assessed using AOC analyses of sensitivity and specificity.OSU is a leading large public land grant university with a varied population of students, faculty,and support staff that includes all health care specialties. These characteristics, along with theUniversity-mandated regular PCR testing of students and staff makes it a perfect site to performthis urgent research.