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Objective: The Basso Lodigiano is located in southern Lombardy. The capital of this district is the city of Codogno where on February 21, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) was diagnosed in Italy. The etiological agent is known to be a new coronavirus called SARS Cov-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – Coronavirus – 2). Even asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic patients can transmit the virus and contribute to the expansion of the infection. From 21 February 2020, we have noticed a significant increase of anosmia cases in the population of Codogno and we believe there may be a relationship with the SARS-Cov 2 infection.
Methods: In the period between 21 February and 15 March 2020, we described 27 patients, living in Codogno, with anosmia. We calculated the incidence of the anosmia symptom in our patients in the period following the first diagnosis of COVID- 19 in Italy (February 21, 2020/March 15, 2020) and then compared it to the incidences relating to the same period of the years 2019 and 2018 and to the incidences in other periods from 1 January 2018. We then analysed the results through test χ2 in order to verify a statistical significance in the results.
Results: We observed a statistically significant increase in the incidence of the anosmia symptom in the period between 21 February and 15 March of 2020 compared to the incidence of the same symptom in other periods
Conclusion: The interpretation of the results leads us to argue that anosmia may be a symptom related to SARS-Cov2 infection. This symptom could be significant in paucisymptomatic patients who represent a potential viral transmission reservoir. In this regard, in this age of pandemic, when doctors observe patients with anosmia, they should consider SARS-Cov 2 infection in the differential diagnosis.
Cite this article as: Capelli M, Gatti P. Anosmia and COVID-19 in south Lombardy: description of the first cases series in Europe. B-ENT 2020; 16(1): 86-90.